[LINK] US digital tv switch going ahead -- sort of

[Marghanita da Cruz]

David Lochrin wrote:
> On Thursday 12 February 2009 13:56, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
> 
>> It might help if you wonder in terms of
>> a)Terrestrial, Satellite, Cable.
>> b)3G,Terrestrial Digital TV/Radio, CDMA, GSM, Terestrial Analog TV/Radio and 
>> other uses of the Radio Spectrum
>> c)Private, Subscription, Pay by View and "free to air (commercial and government)"
>>
>> And to note that while 3G wireless broadband is taking off, some are still
>> dreamin' of optical fibres throughout this wide brown land.
> 
> I was wondering why the average citizen would fork out money for any form of pay TV (whatever the delivery mechanism) when its direct competitors, here free-to-air analogue & high-definition digital TV, are readily available and cost nothing.  The video shop isn't a direct competitor, but it's a significant factor.
> 
> Things like the 3G, CDMA, & GSM networks and any form of radio are not competitive IMO, despite the cosy Telstra ad showing dad & the children happily camping in the wilderness and watching TV on their mobile 'phone.
> 
> However the 'net is somewhere in the middle even now whereever there's a 512 Kbit/s ADSL service available, and it will become more competitive if speeds go up and costs go down.  (Break up Telstra!!)
> 

The switch to Digital TV & Radio from Analog broadcasting is about more 
efficient use of the limited Radio Spectrum and increased license fees from 
alternate uses.

It could mean more tv stations..but that would be bad for the existing 
commercial broadcasters.
<http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s242760.htm>

Has very little to do with the consumer...except their eyeballs translates into 
advertising revenue and government funding of ABC/SBS.

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: (+61)0414 869202