Digital terrestrial television in Australia commenced on 1 January 2001, in the country's five most populous cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth using DVB-T standards. A transition plan to replace Analogue PAL transmissions began in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2013. Digital services are available in most areas, however parts of Western Australia and Central Australia have yet to begin transmissions.
The new means of broadcast has brought with it a number of enhancements, primarily higher-quality picture and sound, but also datacast and multi-view services such as video program guides, high definition, and now-and-next program information. There are a number of additional channels, datacasting, as well as high definition services, available to digital terrestrial television viewers in Australia. Digital-only content is subject to availability and differs greatly in various television markets.
Although approximately 96% of the population has access to at least one digital service, take up was initially sluggish, with only 28% of Australia's 7.8 million households having adopted free-to-air digital television by March 2007. However, by August 2010, 75% of Australian households had made the switch.
From 2009, the free-to-air digital television platform has been promoted under the Freeview name.
Read more about Digital Terrestrial Television In Australia: Government Labelling Scheme, Freeview, Controversy
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