Community radio is struggling at present to take up a position in the digital radio framework.

The digital radio policy was introduced in 2005 and the legislative framework established in 2007. Under that framework metropolitan community stations in each capital city have a legislative entitlement to 2 / 9ths of digital capacity on each available multiplex, with that capacity shared by the number of metro-wide community radio services in each market.

Using that entitlement requires a level of Federal Government funding support, and careful technical and resource planning to bring about digital transmission and content delivery in a cost effective way.

The CBAA submitted cost estimations to the Federal Coalition Government of $16 million in late 2006, and $10.1 million was allocated over 4 years in the May 2007 Federal Budget.

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