Viewer Access Satellite Television

On 10 January 2010, the Australian Government announced a new satellite service to deliver digital television and radio channels to Australian viewers who reside in remote and rural areas, or who can't obtain adequate television signal in an existing metropolitan or regional terrestrial broadcast area, commonly referred to as being in a black spot.[2] On 15 December 2010, the service was made available to viewers in the existing Remote Central and Eastern Australia and Mt Isa licence areas.Anyone is entitled to access ABC and SBS channels on the VAST service, after completing a successful application, regardless of location within Australia.1- It was previously possible to apply for the Optus Aurora service instead, and then move to VAST before the 6-month period preceding digital switchover in the applicable licence area.Viewers accessing the service must use a VAST certified satellite television set-top box and smartcard, and go through an application process.[8] The Remote Central and Eastern commercial television channels carry minimal local news content due to the size of the licence area.