Apsattv
03-12-2007, 11:05 PM
From http://www.inthenews.co.uk/entertainment/tv/call-tv-switchover-helpline-$1174789.htm
Vulnerable UK residents such as the elderly need more help with the switchover to digital television, a new report claims.
Going Digital from the independent Consumer Panel (CP) states those who need the most information and technical support are going without.
It calls on the body responsible for coordinating the switchover, Digital UK, to deliver a targeted national campaign, promote its existing helpline more and create a rolling freeview channel providing useful information.
"We wanted to understand the experience of vulnerable consumers as they 'go digital', and our research is an important step in tracking their experiences," explained CP chairman Colette Bowe.
"They told us clearly that they don't want money; they want easily accessible assistance and advice to help them through the process."
Earlier this year the small Cumbrian town of Whitehaven became the first place in Britain to have its analogue signal switched off, a move due to take place across the entire country by 2012.
Digital television requires the use of Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband and is expected to send sales of digital TVs and set-top boxes rocketing upwards.
Today's CP report noted that important information about the switchover was especially relevant in the run-up to Christmas, when big-ticket electronic sales spike perennially.
"The switch to digital is an exciting move for the UK. To realise its full potential we need to ensure that every consumer has the ability to make informed decisions about the digital TV package that suits them," Ms Bowe added.
Help the Aged's head of police David Sinclair described the report's findings as "very worrying".
"For nearly half the older people in the UK, television is their main form of company, so it is essential that switchover for them is as hassle-free as possible," he said.
"As the transfer to digital looms for other areas of the UK, lessons must be learned so it is not the most vulnerable members of society who are left behind."
Vulnerable UK residents such as the elderly need more help with the switchover to digital television, a new report claims.
Going Digital from the independent Consumer Panel (CP) states those who need the most information and technical support are going without.
It calls on the body responsible for coordinating the switchover, Digital UK, to deliver a targeted national campaign, promote its existing helpline more and create a rolling freeview channel providing useful information.
"We wanted to understand the experience of vulnerable consumers as they 'go digital', and our research is an important step in tracking their experiences," explained CP chairman Colette Bowe.
"They told us clearly that they don't want money; they want easily accessible assistance and advice to help them through the process."
Earlier this year the small Cumbrian town of Whitehaven became the first place in Britain to have its analogue signal switched off, a move due to take place across the entire country by 2012.
Digital television requires the use of Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband and is expected to send sales of digital TVs and set-top boxes rocketing upwards.
Today's CP report noted that important information about the switchover was especially relevant in the run-up to Christmas, when big-ticket electronic sales spike perennially.
"The switch to digital is an exciting move for the UK. To realise its full potential we need to ensure that every consumer has the ability to make informed decisions about the digital TV package that suits them," Ms Bowe added.
Help the Aged's head of police David Sinclair described the report's findings as "very worrying".
"For nearly half the older people in the UK, television is their main form of company, so it is essential that switchover for them is as hassle-free as possible," he said.
"As the transfer to digital looms for other areas of the UK, lessons must be learned so it is not the most vulnerable members of society who are left behind."