Australia's Internet industry body has dubbed the government's digital TV policy an "anti-competitive" fiasco that falls well short of what the public expects.
It's a week since digital TV's debut in Australia and it has been nothing short of a debacle since day one.
Firstly, the all important set-top box is still only available for demonstration in stores and is not likely to be available for retail until the end of the month. Some argue that the AU$699 price tag is too costly for the average consumer, and the device will become redundant within 12 months.
There's also concern that digital TV in Australia is too restrictive in content.
The Shadow Minister for Communications, Stephen Smith, has attacked the federal government, accusing it of implementing the regime in a "lacklustre fashion".
"We think in terms of the design of the scheme there are clearly a couple of major failings," the shadow minister's spokesperson, Simon Banks, told ZDNet.
Datacasting falling short?
Of particular concern is datacasting under the government's digital regime.
"In terms of providing a datacasting service that would be attractive to consumers, the government has been deficient in that regard," Banks said.
"If you opened up the datacasting regime and made content more attractive, Australians would be more willing to take up the technology, the regime would be a success and it'd bring down the cost," Banks said. "It'd be a win-win for everyone involved."
Australian Digital TV - why is it irrelevant?
I want to watch (for example) NBA TV, many many MLB games, Latin-American and European channels (note the "s" meaning many, many channels !!!! - get the message?).
If Digital TV is basically the digitalisation of the same restrictive content that the Australian commercial and Pay TV channels are currently offering, then I am not interested.
This lack of interest extends to me not caring about about all of those fancy HD Tvs in Harvey Norman or Domayne etc - This would be (again) the HD of the same restrictive content that the Australian commercial and Pay TV channels are currently offering, etc.
Because of this irrelevance, I have no interest in Australian TV content, well, except for CNN International news. At least you show that.
Regards