Who is eligible to receive VAST?
Under the Broadcasting Service Act 1992, television viewers who do not have adequate reception of one or more terrestrial digital commercial television broadcasting services should be able to access satellite television services via the VAST service. Access to the VAST service is made available progressively around Australia in line with the switchover timetable.
The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 establishes the principles through which access to VAST must be determined. In accordance with this legislation, two separate schemes for the areas of eastern and western VAST have been registered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA). Copies of these schemes can be viewed on the ACMA website — http://www.acma.gov.au
Who is eligible to receive VAST in eastern Australia?
The Eastern VAST service operates in Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Any viewers in the remote areas of central and eastern Australia who wish to access VAST have been able to do so since 15 December 2010. The VAST service is also available in areas of regional Australia that have already switched to digital-only TV, where viewers are unable to obtain adequate reception of the terrestrial digital television services that operate in those areas. Viewers in other areas that have not yet switched to digital-only TV will have access to the VAST service about six months before the switch to digital TV in their area.
In eastern Australia the VAST service is also available to viewers who currently rely on the Remote Area Broadcasting Service, also known as Aurora. Viewers who are currently receiving their TV services from the existing Aurora satellite platform can apply for the VAST service now.
Who is eligible to receive VAST in Western Australia?
In Western Australia, the VAST service is being made available progressively so that, by switchover, any viewer who is not able to receive the full range of terrestrial digital television services will be eligible to access the Western VAST service.
The commercial broadcasters for Western Australia have developed predictions for the coverage of their digital services once their rollout is completed. The rollout of terrestrial digital television services to 51 sites in Western Australia commenced in Bunbury in July 2011, and is expected to be completed by mid 2012. Viewers in areas outside the predicted coverage of the digital services being established by the commercial television broadcasters in Western Australia can apply for the VAST service now.
Viewers who are within the predicted coverage of the sites being established by the commercial broadcasters for Western Australia will be able to access the VAST service if, once the broadcasters establish their transmitters for the area, they are unable to receive adequate digital reception. Because terrestrial digital television services are currently being rolled out in Western Australia the date of introduction of the full range of terrestrial digital television services in your area is important in determining if you are eligible to apply for VAST.
The introduction of these new terrestrial digital television services may mean that some viewers who currently receive their television services via Aurora may shortly be able to receive the full range of digital television services via terrestrial means. These viewers will not be eligible for VAST.
To find out if and when terrestrial digital television coverage will be delivered in your area, check the coverage and timing predictions in mySwitch. Enter your full address to establish whether you will be able to get digital TV terrestrially and when this is scheduled to occur.
Viewers who live in areas where terrestrial coverage is not predicted to be rolled out can access VAST now. For these viewers, mySwitch will indicate that you will not get terrestrial coverage, and advise you of your eligibility for VAST. You will be able to apply for VAST through the mySwitch website immediately.
For viewers who live in areas where terrestrial coverage is predicted to be available by the end of switchover, mySwitch will provide technical information about the expected terrestrial coverage and the date that services are expected to commence. These viewers are not eligible for VAST unless after services have commenced they find their service is not adequate. Once broadcasters are considered to have established services in any area (see below), viewers who find that they cannot receive the full range of digital terrestrial services will be able to apply for the VAST service.
The ACMA liaises with broadcasters to determine a date for each area when broadcasters are considered to have established terrestrial digital television services in a particular area. This day is known as the Designated Digital Delivery Service Day and is different to the day when services go on air, but normally occurs shortly after the on air date. The date of the Designated Digital Delivery Service Day for each area is published on the ACMA’s website as it becomes available to the ACMA. Viewers can check if the Designated Digital Delivery Service Day has occurred in their area by going on the ACMA website — http://www.acma.gov.au
Satellite Subsidy Scheme
Households that currently rely on TV reception from an analog self-help tower that is not being converted to digital may be eligible for a subsidy to switch to the VAST service. To find out more, click on the Satellite Subsidy Scheme link under ‘related information’.
How do I apply for the VAST service?
To apply to access the VAST service, go to mySwitch and enter your address. When the map showing your address appears, click on the ‘Satellite eligibility’ tab and follow the directions. Your application will be processed within five to fifteen business days, depending on your location.
Viewers are advised not to purchase a set-top box before establishing if they are eligible to receive the VAST service.
To check your eligibility before you purchase a set-top box, you need to enter the dummy decoder number provided on the application form. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will then need to provide a VAST set-top box and a smart card number (which is provided with the set-top box) to activate the smart card and receive commercial TV services. Information and applications are also available for travellers (e.g. in caravans) who can apply for a Temporary Reception Certificate to receive VAST while travelling.
How much will the equipment cost?
The retail cost for a high definition VAST set-top box with the smart card is about $280 (including GST), and $100-$500 for a satellite dish, depending on the size of the dish required. In most parts of Australia a small to medium size dish will be adequate. However, in some parts of far north Australia a larger dish will be needed. To find out what the recommended dish size is for your area, go to mySwitch.
The cost of installation will depend on your location and the individual circumstances of your house. Viewers who live in cyclone areas, or who need to have a larger dish size for some other reason, are likely to have higher installation costs because of the more complex mounting requirements.
Viewers who already receive their TV services through the Aurora remote area broadcasting service will need to buy a VAST set-top box, but they should be able to use their existing satellite dish. One VAST set-top box will be required for each TV you wish to convert to VAST.
Where can I buy VAST certified equipment?
As of August 2011, there is only one VAST certified set-top box available in the market. This is manufactured by Altech UEC and is available from retailers and installers, or direct from Altech UEC. Enquiries about direct sales from UEC can be made by calling (02) 9425 5777.
Additional suppliers and distributors are expected to provide certified set-top boxes in early 2012.
What are the VAST specifications?
- Provided on Optus C1 — same as Aurora
- DVB-S2 and 8PSK
- MPEG4 and MPEG2
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Minimum 65cm dish
Related information