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The dialog of this video says that they expanded into the Pacific using FM. There are only 13 town only transmitters mostly in Papua New Guinea. They switched off 6 high powered high frequency (short wave) transmitters which were receivable over almost all of the South Pacific Ocean. So even those in boats can listen to the programs when away from land! Satellite reception requires a large 'C' band dish pointed accurately at the satellite, meaning it cannot be used when mobile.
By comparison Radio New Zealand Pacific has just ordered a replacement high powered high frequency transmitter because its current one is reaching the end of its economic life. They are paying $4 million Australian for the replacement. It is currently under construction.
Since 2005 they have been transmitting Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) on this service, the sound quality is better than that of your local ABC's AM in your city!
When transmitting in DRM mode the electricity consumption drops by 60 % and you can transmit 2 speech programs simultaneously. Eg Australian and a target audience language.
You tune a DRM radio by the broadcasters name eg Radio Australia rather than by having to remember a pair of 5 digit numbers. At sunrise and sunset, the receiver changes frequency under the command of the broadcaster.
Lastly, Australia is part of a tsunami and cyclone warning system, but now cannot tell anyone bar these 13 towns! DRM has an emergency warning function which will wake a radio from standby, switch to the warning channel, sound a siren, make a loud announcement, but also show a map of the emergency and a searchable text system for detailed instructions. lts warnings can be restricted to a geographic rectangle which is from 7 x 7 km to as large as you like.