With the current tranche of 3D television trials having ended Monday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority felt that it would be useful to remind consumers that the ACMA can only make a digital television channel available for free-to-air 3D TV trials on a limited basis.

In May, the Nine Network, SBS and WIN sought ACMA authorisation for temporary trials of 3D TV in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The ACMA authorised trials for only a limited, two-month period, from 19 May to 19 July. This allowed the authorisation of transmission in 3D of the State of Origin series and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

When announcing the licensing arrangements in May, the ACMA indicated its support of broadcasters in the development and demonstration of new broadcasting technologies, but also noted that the trials would be using unutilised digital television channels that were only available on a temporary basis. Broadcasters were required to provide the ACMA with reports on the outcomes of those trials and the ACMA expects to publish the reports in the near future.

The ACMA is now considering applications for a further tranche of short-term free-to-air trials and more generally expects to release a paper in the next few months on the future of 3D trials. This paper will address the likely demand for spectrum to further experiment with and test 3D technology. The paper will also address international developments in the standardisation of consumer equipment, as technical standards for 3D TV receivers have not yet been established.

Information on broadcasting trials, including the licence conditions attached to the recent 3D trials, is available on the ACMA website.