Radio Australia’s shortwave signal to Asia was turned off on Sunday as a result of recent government funding cuts, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The service, which was on air in the region for 75 years, will continue to broadcast into the Pacific, but signal strength outside Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji may be degraded.

According to Alex Oliver from the Lowy Institute, the switch off is a big step back from international broadcasting by Australia.

Radio Australia presenter Liam Fox asked ABC technology editor, Peter Marks, on his show whether there’s still a place for shortwave broadcasting in a world now dominated by television, FM and digital radio, the internet and satellite transmission.

Marks said that shortwave is still a very efficient way to reach large number of people in remote areas, especially in case of natural disasters and emergencies.