Download Fragment

Friday, 23 November 1979

Senator Ryan asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 4 April 1979:

(   1 ) What countries, companies, agencies or other institutions did the Minister visit during his 'fact-finding' trip on domestic satellite use.

(2)   What estimates of cost of: (a) television receival only; and (b) telephony in remote areas from a 20-watt satellite transponder; were given to the Minister by Canadian manufacturers or agencies.

(3)   What volume of production was indicated in these costs and what indication of Australian content and manufacture was given by Canadian companies or agencies.

Senator Chaney - The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(   1 ) The countries, companies, agencies and other institutions visited were:

Japan- Minister and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; Sony Research Laboratory; Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and NHK Research Laboratories.

United States- Corporation for Public Broadcasting; COMSAT General Corporation; Satellite Business System; American Telephones and Telegrams (AT & T); Ford Aerospace.

Canada- Minister and Department of Communications; TELESAT; SPAR.

United Kingdom- British Broadcasting Corporation; Independent Broadcasting Authority; British Aerospace.

France- Thomson-CSF; SAGEM; Ministry of Post and Telecommuncations: European Space Agency.

(2)   and(3) The equipment shown or demonstrated was still at the experimental stage. At that time the Canadian officials estimated that the cost of an earth terminal for direct television reception at approximately $ 1 , 000 Canadian, but considered that this cost would be reduced significantly after equipment refinements. The officials were unable to give an estimated 'production cost' for the experimental receive/transmit telephony earth station.

As the essential purpose of the visit was to obtain information on technological developments in the use of domestic communication satellites, there were no discussions regarding prospective applications of particular systems for Australian domestic uses.

---