Digital switchover concerns remain as 2012 date looms
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 00:01
Broadcast television will only be available digitally from 2012
Real concerns about the feasibility of the government's digital switchover scheme remain, the National Audit Office (NAO) believes.
The government is hoping to turn off all analogue transmissions by 2012 and is making good progress, today's report notes.
However 31 per cent of the UK population do not understand they will have to purchase some form of digital equipment and 26,000 analogue sets need to be replaced or converted.
"Helping consumers through the switchover process requires strong and coordinated working between government and delivery agencies," NAO head Tim Burr said.
"Progress so far is encouraging, but there is a long way to go."
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson welcomed the report, saying the success of the initial rollout in Copeland "demonstrates the effectiveness of the detailed plans we have put into place for digital switchover".
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