Amy Harbrow 13:16, 13 Oct 2004 (EST)
The Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Act 1998. The Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Act, 1998 is an act to impose an order in relation to the provision of datacasting services by the ABC, SBS and commercial television licensees.
Datacasters can be licensed to provide services that are different from traditional television broadcasting services. Spectrum in the broadcasting services band is made available to new datacasting services. Commercial television broadcasters will be required to pay a charge for datacasting on their digital spectrum. Free-to-air broadcasters cannot purchase this spectrum. However, can use their digital TV spectrum to provide datacasting services.
A transmitter licence must be provided by datacasting service providers, including commercial and national broadcasters. Datacasting is subject to rules which restrict the provision of the transmitter licence.
The Datacasting Charge (Imposition) Act 1998 imposes an outline of the rules and regulations datacasting service providers must abide by. It also outlines the amount of the charge and who that amount is payable to. The Act is important legislation and is relevant to existing commercial and non-commercial television licensees, however the Act is relevant to a wider spectrum of society because it allows the communication and broadcasting industry to introduce new business. Thus providing wider competition and opportunities for emerging market structures in the sector.
There has been no precedent set for datacasting legislation. Because datacasting is a new communication service the new laws governing will need constant review to adapt to how datacasters will provide the service and to tackle any unforeseen problems. For example the content of datacasting and the provisions of certain kinds of programs.
