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Fairfax wins ABA approval of datacasting trial SYDNEY, March 31, 2000 -- John Fairfax Holdings [ASX:FXJ] today welcomed yesterday’s approval by the ABA of the company's application for 7 MHz of spectrum to conduct datacasting trials. Fairfax’s interactive subsidiary, f2, will obtain a trial license for the Sydney metropolitan area between late July and September, and for Canberra during October and November. Mr Nigel Dews, Chief Executive of f2, the Fairfax Interactive Network, said: "Trials will permit us to test the platform and refine our business models to best meet consumer needs and preferences. Obtaining access to spectrum for trialing purposes is an important step in the development of the datacasting industry, and a positive signal to suppliers, manufacturers and other industry participants. This is a new generation of digital services that can provide a wealth of interactive information, entertainment and e-commerce services to households throughout the country. "While we want to be a leader in datacasting in Australia, all our efforts are predicated on a solid business case that is fully sustainable, which will be completed only after the trials are concluded. We will not proceed if the fundamentals are not there." Mr Dews said that important legislative and regulatory decisions still need to be completed, including the formal legislation to implement the Government's datacasting decisions taken last December, and certain ABA decisions which will determine how much spectrum is available to new entrants. In addition, technology and standards must continue to be progressed, to enable consumer certainty and affordable devices. -- ENDS -- For further information, please contact: Bruce Wolpe, Fairfax (02) 9282 3640 **************** Note to editors John Fairfax Holdings [ASX:FXJ] is Australia’s leading publishing group. Its mastheads include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, The Age, The Sun-Herald, and BRW. In addition, the company publishes financial and consumer magazines, and provides online services. In 1999, the company had revenues of over $1.1 billion. f2, Fairfax Interactive Network, is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Fairfax Holdings Limited. f2 is building a strong position in e-commerce and is Australia’s leading provider of online content. The company’s extensive network of over 30 sites attracts over 2.3 million page views per day (2.4 million site visits per week) for its sites, including: freemail |
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Fairfax > Corporate Affairs & Media Releases > Announcements > DATACASTING
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