Digital TV service for RV travellers

RV travellers who visit regional and remote areas of Australia are being encouraged to enjoy the benefits of digital TV through the new Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service.

Speaking from the VAST processing centre in Townsville, the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said the new service would allow people in remote locations to access up to 16 digital channels – the same as in the capital cities.

This includes the five free-to-air networks and their multi-channels, as well as regional news services, and specialised public service channels.

"Until recently, the only TV someone could watch after a long day’s driving or sightseeing was the limited choice available on analog television – sometimes fewer than four channels,” Senator Conroy said.

The service would benefit domestic and international tourists, who spent 41 million nights in caravan parks around Australia, as well as more than 50,000 Australian campervan and motor home owners.

“The old Aurora Satellite service is being switched off on 31 December 2013, so I strongly encourage people to get themselves a satellite dish and apply for VAST now,” he said.

To help travellers tune their satellite dishes into the VAST signal, a new smartphone application is being developed. Available on iPhones and Android, the app will use the phone’s GPS to locate available terrestrial television signals and show users how to receive them.

“Travellers will no longer have to waste time in stormy weather or in the dark pointing their antennas or satellite dishes in any number of directions. The app will show exactly where they need to be to pick up the best television signal."

More than 80,000 households in regional and remote areas are already using VAST, with over 100,000 VAST decoders activated across Australia, including for around 13,000 travellers.

The VAST service is available now to all households throughout the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV licence area.

Those planning to visit areas that can access the satellite television service can apply for the VAST service through the Digital Ready website.

The retail cost for a high definition VAST set-top box with the smart card is about $280, plus $100-$500 for a satellite dish, depending on the size of the dish required.