Digital radio services commenced in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in July 2009 after the ACCC accepted undertakings for metro areas from eight category 1 digital radio multiplex transmitter (DRMT) licensees in April 2009.
The ACCC administers the access regime for the digital radio access service under section 118 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992. The access regime ensures that individual broadcasters are able to access the digital radio access service for transmission of their content services on reasonable terms and conditions. The access regime is set out in an access undertaking that was put in place in 2009 and the ACCC is responsible for monitoring compliance with the access undertaking and approving any variations.
On 30 October 2018, the ACCC received three new access undertakings in relation to the commencement of digital radio services in Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. The ACCC accepted these proposed access undertakings on 13 March 2019, under section 118NF of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
On 2 September 2019, the ACCC received an access undertaking from the DRMT licensee in Mandurah. The ACCC accepted the proposed access undertaking on 1 November 2019.
On 3 November 2021, the ACCC received a proposed access undertaking in relation to the commencement of digital radio services in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The ACCC accepted the proposed access undertaking on 2 March 2022.