The switch to digital TV represents a milestone for Australia and on 6 December 2011*, areas of regional Queensland will be switching off their analog TV signals.
More information about switch off in regional Queensland is available in the information sheet Regional Queensland: It's time to get ready for digital TV, located in the Info Centre.
Early switchover towns
There are no more towns expected to switch to digital-only TV signals early, i.e. before the rest of regional Queensland on 6 December 2011.
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Reception
Important information for Cooloola Cove residents
Local broadcasters, WIN, Southern Cross and Seven, installed new digital TV transmitters in Cooloola Cove, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach, along with a number of other sites in regional Queensland, earlier this year.
Local broadcasters have undertaken extensive testing and monitoring and yesterday (5 December) confirmed that the new Cooloola Coast transmitters are working very well.
Local broadcasters have indicated that many households have antenna systems not well suited to receive digital TV which may be resulting in signal dropouts and pixilation.
Residents of Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Cove and Rainbow Beach are encouraged to take action to ensure they have the correct antenna systems to maximise their viewing experience.
With Digital Switchover now complete across regional Queensland and services operating as planned households are urged to contact an Australian Government Endorsed Antenna Installer to ensure they have the correct antenna system.
Contact information for local endorsed antenna installers is available through the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 or by entering your address into mySwitch.
Helpful hints for Cooloola Cove residents
If you live on the Cooloola Coast and are watching ABC2, SBS TWO, 7TWO, Go! or 11 this means you are digital ready and do not need to do anything further.
However if you are experiencing reception issues there are some simple improvements and updates to your TV and antenna set up that may assist.
If you are accessing services from the Wide Bay (Mt Goonaneman) transmitter, you are likely to be using a combination (UHF and VHF components) antenna or combination system (UHF and VHF antenna), with a masthead amplifier. There are two antenna options which could provide better digital reception. These are outlined in the attached fact sheet. Australian Endorsed Antenna Installers are available to help residents assess their antenna set ups and configure these correctly. Residents in this situation should call 1800 20 10 13 to find an endorsed antenna installer today.
If your antenna is set up correctly and your reception is no better the next step is to contact the local broadcasters directly or contact the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 to allow the Australian Government to refer your concerns through to Regional Broadcasting Australia or the Australian Communications and Media Authority as the agencies responsible.
If residents are receiving assistance under the Household Assistance Scheme and are experiencing problems with digital TV reception, they should contact TechLife on 1800 44 37 16.
Local Broadcaster contact information
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WIN television
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07 4930 4499
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Southern Cross Media
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1800 627 836
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7 Queensland
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Agnes Water
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07 4999 3777
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Crows Nest, Nanango, Picnic Point, Yarraman & Top Camp
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07 4637 5377
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Mundubbera
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07 4197 9777
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Important information for residents in Palm Island
From 6 December Palm Island residents will only get the Townsville digital signalsbroadcast from Mount Stuart or the Cairns digital signals from Mount Bellenden Ker, but no analog signals. If you want to keep using your old analog TV you will need to plug in a digital set-top box, or if you want to spend a little more, a digital video recorder. More information about how to get ready is available from the factsheet, Palm Island is switching to digital TV, get ready, located in the Regional Queensland factsheets.
Important information for residents in Kelso and Rasmussen
If you live in Kelso or Rasmussen in regional Queensland you are currently receiving your TV signals from one of two locations. If you are already watching digital TV you are most likely receiving your existing analog or digital TV services from the Mount Stuart transmitter in Townsville (seven kilometres north-east of Kelso). The easiest way to tell if you are watching digital TV is to see whether you can watch ABC2, SBS TWO, 7TWO, Go! or 11. However if you can't watch these digital channels and are currently only able to watch ABC, SBS, Seven, WIN and Southern Cross Ten you might be receiving your TV services from the local analog transmitter in Kelso.
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Household Assistance Scheme
Applications for the Household Assistance Scheme (HAS) in areas of regional Queensland close 25 January 2012.
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Satellite Subsidy Scheme
Please note the Satellite Subsidy Scheme has now closed for regional and remote areas in Queensland.
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VAST
The Central and Eastern VAST (Viewer Access Satellite Television) service offers free-to-air satellite TV to regional and remote areas of Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
To check your eligibility, enter your full address in mySwitch.
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Special events
Need more help to get ready for digital TV? Why not attend one of the special events organised to help people in areas of regional Queensland get digital ready. Enter your address into mySwitch to find your nearest event.
Good news stories
Discover how our programs and services have helped people convert to digital TV.
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Local help is available
Seven digital switchover liaison officers are working with local councils and community organisations in areas of regional Queensland to help people get ready for digital TV. The best way to find out if there is a liaison officer in your area is to call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.
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Approved digital advisors
Approved digital advisors at participating stores and can provide advice on digital TV and recording equipment and help you understand your digital TV options. Enter your address into mySwitch to find your nearest approved digital advisor.
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Endorsed antenna installers
Endorsed antenna installers can help you with cabling, antenna, satellite and reception issues. Enter your address into mySwitch to find your nearest endorsed antenna installer.
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Multi-dwelling units, apartments and townhouses
Some units and townhouses may require an upgrade or installation of a new shared antenna system to get ready for digital TV. Installing or upgrading an antenna system can take time as often there needs to be agreement from all owners, so you need to start planning now. If you own or rent and are unsure if your building is ready for digital TV, speak to your landlord or property manager. If you own and rent out a property, speak with the owners' corporation or body corporate.
For more detailed information, use our Antenna Systems eToolkit (ASeT) to assess your building, reception issues and options for becoming digital ready.
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