Different paths: A comparison of the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Australia and Finland

Abstract

Australia and Finland provide contrasting case studies of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission. The experiences of these two countries help identify the policy choices available to governments and provide lessons for other countries planning their digital terrestrial television systems. Overall, the digital policies adopted in Finland are much more liberal than those in Australia. The Australian experience serves to confirm the deficiency of the high definition model for digital television, and to indicate that a wider range of programming and services offers viewers a greater incentive to invest in digital reception equipment than high‐resolution picture quality. Shortcomings in policy decisions have resulted in problems for both countries since their launch of digital transmissions. There have been delays in the availability of some digital services, and the take‐up of digital equipment by viewers has been poor. The experiences of Australia and Finland suggest that the transition to digital terrestrial television broadcasting represents a situation of market failure and that governments may need to consider intervening in the market for digital reception equipment. .......