As the trial of digital radio services in Canberra and Darwin is set to be made permanent, The Australian Communications and Media Authority has also completed regulatory arrangements for digital radio to be made available in Hobart.

The ACMA has finalised digital radio channel plans for the future development of DAB+ digital radio in all of Australia’s capital cities.

Acting ACMA Chairman, Richard Bean said ‘The plans make frequencies available to broadcasters wishing to provide ongoing digital radio services in Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. The ACMA will now commence discussions with the broadcasters about starting the transmitter licence allocation process.’

The Government has also asked the ACMA to facilitate the rollout of digital radio in regional areas where licensees make the commercial decision that they wish to offer the service.

Digital radio services, using DAB+ technology in VHF Band III spectrum, have been running on a permanent basis in the metropolitan areas of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney since July 2009.