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Digital UK Switchover Help Scheme:

Digital UK promotes digital switchover in electrical stores across the country. VisMedia +44 [0]207 613 2555.

Practical assistance in change to digital television

Edited by Jane Hill: A report on the UK’s first digital television switchover, highlights lessons to be applied across the country as analogue signals are turned–off over the next four years.

The report from Digital UK, the independent body established to co–ordinate switchover, is based–on research into the experiences of 25,000 households in Copeland, Cumbria, including the town of Whitehaven. In a two–stage switchover during October and November 2007, four analogue television channels were replaced with approximately 20 Freeview channels.

The timing of Copeland’s switchover was brought forward to test plans for the nationwide programme to upgrade the UK’s terrestrial television network to digital. The next switchover will be for viewers served by the

Selkirk transmitter group in the Border TV region, which will go fully digital from 6 November this year. It will be followed by 14 switchovers affecting 4.6 million households during 2009, with the rest of the UK switching to digital TV by the end of 2012. Pictured right: Digit Al, the robot guide to switchover, tells people to get ready for the switch. VisMedia +44 [0]207 613 2555.

The report revealed that: Some people needed extra help. Approximately 10 per cent of households took up the Switchover Help Scheme. Digital UK estimates five per cent rang its helpline or visited one of its locally– run help centres. A further five per cent of households sought help or advice from retail outlets.

Some aerials needed replacing. Digital UK estimates that up to five per cent of homes needed a new roof–top aerial and that up to 30 per cent of set–top aerials needed changing.

Consultation between landlords and tenants. One housing association applied a service charge increase of £24 per annum for a new communal television system. Some residents felt they had not been sufficiently consulted. Digital UK is developing a model for consultation for use by landlords.

The value of the Help Scheme. Those eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme are required to pay £40 towards the cost of the equipment and assistance provided, unless the recipient is on income–related benefits in which case it is free. There was some initial misunderstanding of who had to pay and of the value of this help. The Help Scheme and Digital UK will ensure the terms of the scheme and what it provides are made as clear as possible in future communications.

Infolink: Switchover Help Scheme information for the elderly and for people in of receipt of benefits. The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC at the request of the Government to offer help to an estimated seven million qualifying households in making the switch to digital television. Every eligible person will be offered practical help to convert one of their TV sets to digital in the run–up to switchover in their television region. Pictured right: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme will offer practical assistance to people like Betty Eccleshare.

VisMedia +44 [0]207 613 2555.

For people aged 75 and over and for people receiving qualifying benefits telephone the Switchover Help Scheme free on: 0800 408 5900. Textphone free on: 0800 408 5936. Alternatively, visit website: www.helpscheme.co.uk.

Infolink: For people who do not qualify for the Switchover Help Scheme can obtain further information via the Digital UK helpline on: 08456 50 50 50. Also visit website: www.digitaluk.co.uk.

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