Digital move may stall

By Keith Newman

Free-to-air television broadcasters may have more time to consider moving to digital television if the Government heeds Maori claims for a share in all radio frequencies.

While Television New Zealand has confirmed it is considering ditching its 12.6 per cent stake in Sky TV as it gears up to go digital, the proposed auction of digital TV frequencies in August may not go ahead.

Maori initially challenged the auction last March of 2GHz frequencies for third-generation cellular services. It was postponed until a full hearing before the Waitangi Tribunal.

That report, due before the end of the month, is expected to affect the Ministry of Commerce auction of digital TV frequencies.

"I wouldn't hold my breath for an August date," said TVNZ spokesman Liam Jeory.

A director of the Waitangi Tribunal, Morris Love, said it was difficult to come to a definitive view on the report, now being written.

He expected the Government to give the issue rapid consideration.

Maui Solomon, for Rangiho Everton, who is acting on behalf of the Ngati Raukawa tribe northwest of Wellington, said the claim related to the entire radio spectrum.

"If there is any endeavour to auction segments of radio spectrum where the Crown assume exclusivity to a natural resource, they have to take account of Maori interests," he said.

Switching analogue TV channels to digital is likely to cost $150 million over the next decade.

Rob Sweet, of TVNZ's transmission arm, BCL, said it had done trials with Prime, TV3 and TVNZ.

High-speed Internet broadcasting and digital television were similar products and there would soon be moves to offer both, he said.

The most economic options were satellite, terrestrial broadcasting, microwave and digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, which Telecom was testing commercially in Wellington and Auckland.

Mr Jeory said TVNZ had not decided whether to go with a land or satellite-based service.