IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

DCMS Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell yesterday underlined the Government's commitment to switchover to total digital TV as she welcomed a new report into the issue. It's an important factor in planning future e-Government services which rely on digital TV as a deliervy mechanism.

The BBC report, Progress towards achieving digital switchover, describes progress so far as "astonishing", stating that it "puts the UK in an enviable position". And it says that, provided important challenges are met, the UK could switchover to digital TV by 2010.

But it stresses that both Government and industry must work together if switchover is to be achieved within this timeframe.

If left entirely to the market, the BBC predicts that it will take until 2013 for 95% of households to have digital TV.

Responding to the report Tessa Jowell said. "This Government is absolutely committed to working with the industry to achieve digital switchover. The potential rewards, including more choice for consumers and more space for new services, are too great for us not to be.

"The fact that half of homes in the UK now have access to digital TV shows there is a considerable appetite for the product out there. This provides a solid foundation for continuing the drive towards full switchover.

"Of course there are obstacles along the way, many of which are highlighted in this report. We are working closely with stakeholders to determine the actions needed to overcome these in the journey to switchover. This report will help us focus on the challenges ahead."

The report highlights a number of issues that it says should be addressed in order to achieve switchover. These include:

• The marketing and communication of digital to unconverted households.
• The ease of recording from digital channels.
• The regional sequence in which to achieve switchover.
• The conversion of secondary TV sets.
• The need for a properly staffed organisation to manage the switchover programme.
• The fact that many consumers find digital TV too confusing or too difficult to use.

Switchover is being managed through the Digital Television project, a collaboration between Government, Ofcom, broadcasters, industry and other stakeholders. Its task is to develop a comprehensive framework and strategy for switchover.

The project is taking a number of important steps towards switchover:

• Designing a digital television logo for DTV equipment to help the public identify compliant equipment.
• Working on a switchover pilot.
• Looking into potential solutions to problems associated with recording from digital channels.
• It has set up a Consumer Experts Group to advise the Government on the key concerns of consumers.
• Liaising with retailers to ensure that consumers are able to buy equipment with the help of trained staff, giving platform-neutral advice.

Further information about the Government's initiatives relating to digital switchover can found on the Government's dedicated digital television website: www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk

Quelle: PublicTechnology, 27.04.2004