Australia - Digital TV - Datacasting Overview and Analysis

Synopsis

Since its humble beginnings as text provisions on TV-based services such as Teletext, datacasting is experiencing renewed attention. The concept is to provide a broadcast vehicle to carry a combination of video, audio, software programs, streaming data, or other digital/multimedia content that can be transmitted continuously to intelligent devices such as PCs, digital Set-top Boxes and hand-held devices where it can be manipulated. The broadcast concept means that although a return path might be available, it is not required. Content can be received without being requested. Based on digital TV, datacasting is being viewed as an interactive alternative.

The first services were launched in late 2004. In 2006 the Howard government announced its decision on unallocated spectrum, with the allocation of two dedicated channels of television broadcasting spectrum nationally for new digital services. However, in 2010 the Rudd Government announced it would review the use of available spectrum and how it will be allocated. The government has released a green paper on what it calls the Digital Dividend or Channel A, which could deliver new free-to-air, in-home digital services such as datacasting.