VAST (Viewer Access Satellite Television) is operated by Southern Cross Media and Imparja, and is funded by the Australian Government. It ensures access to free-to-air TV for viewers in the Remote areas, and those in regional and metropolitan areas who are unable to receive their local TV services through a standard Antenna.
The VAST satellite service does not require you to buy a new digital ready television, it will function perfectly on your existing TV set.
Most existing Austar and Aurora satellite installations can be reused for the VAST service.
The following channels are availabe:
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ONE HD |
SBS ONE SCTV (Channel 7) Channel 11 ABC News 24 7 Mate GO |
Regional Imparja (Channel 9) ABC2 SBS HD 7 TWO |
As part of a brand new VAST installation the following equipment is installed
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A 90cm Satellite Dish with LNB
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Altech - UEC VAST Satellite Decoder
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All of the cabling and associated material
New Free To Air VAST Service Now Operational!
All Existing Remote Area viewers who currently watch Southern Cross and Imparja via satellite can convert now.
People in Remote or rural areas who live in designated No Digital Coverage Areas can switch on Now.
This is a significant breakthrough in the provision of digital TV services to all Australians, particularly for those in remote and regional areas who for many years have had to put up with less choice than people in the cities.
The new service provides digital TV services to viewers in eastern Australia who cannot receive terrestrial digital TV.
is between the Australian Government and broadcasters Southern Cross Media and Imparja to establish a joint venture company, Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST).
ensures access to free-to-air television for viewers in the Remote Central and Eastern Australia licence area.
It includes those in regional and metropolitan areas who are unable to receive their local TV services terrestrially will also be able to access the new service.
The new VAST service will for the first time make available to all parts of Australia the same number of channels as are available in the capital cities.
This includes programming in standard definition from the Seven, Nine and Ten networks and their new digital channels GO!, 7TWO and ONEHD, as well as all of the ABC and SBS channels, including ABC2, ABC3 and SBS TWO. The VAST service will also provide high definition channels.
Northern service will operate in northern time zone, providing standard definition services for viewers in Queensland and the Northern Territory based on Brisbane time.
Southern Service will operate in Southern time Zone providing standard definition services for viewers in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania based on Sydney time.
The high definition services will be provided in a combined zone, covering both the northern and southern zones.
A satellite service for Western Australian viewers, using the same Optus platform, is currently under negotiation with the remote area commercial TV licensees in Western Australia (Prime and WIN Television).
Viewers of the satellite service will be able to watch their local news services through a dedicated news channel.
State-based ABC and SBS news services would also be available on their respective channels.