Digital Switchover
In September 2005 the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell outlined the timetable for Britain’s switch to digital television.
Starting in the Border region in 2008 and ending with London and Ulster in 2012, switchover, as the process is known, will see the aging analogue signals that have been used to transmit terrestrial television for nearly 70 years replaced by a completely digital network. The exception is the Copeland area of Cumbria, which became the first to switch to digital television in the UK in late 2007.
After the analogue signal has been switched off in your area you will only be able to receive a TV signal via a traditional roof-top aerial if you have a digital set-top box or an integrated digital television (IDTV). Digital television is also available via Satellite, Cable and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television).
The majority of UK homes have already chosen to go digital but a significant minority cannot receive digital terrestrial television. Only by completely switching off the analogue signal will the rest of the population gain access to the increased picture quality, extra channels and interactivity that digital television offers. Switchover will also free up spectrum to introduce exciting new services such as high-definition television (HDTV) and mobile TV.
The government and the BBC are providing a support scheme to fund the cost of switchover for households in which one or more resident is aged over 75 or has a significant disability. There will also be assistance for low income households.
For more information on digital switchover contact Digital UK, the not-for-profit organisation set to coordinate the UK’s switch to digital:
- Web: www.digitaluk.co.uk
- Tel: 0845 6 50 50 50.
Useful links