The Digital Switchover Help Scheme is designed to provide practical help for those people who we expect to have the most difficulty in making the switch to digital TV.
Some 7 million homes are expected to qualify for help, although not all will choose to take it up. Those who are eligible will be sent more details direct by the Government well before their area switches to digital. Details of the Help Scheme are set out below in a Scheme Agreement concluded by DCMS and the BBC.
The Scheme will be funded through the TV Licence fee and estimated costs are around £603 million. The BBC is responsible for delivering the Scheme although day to day operation will be contracted out. DSHS Ltd (a BBC subsidiary) will ensure that the contractor delivers the scheme as set out in the Scheme Agreement.
The BBC expects to award the contract to deliver the UK-wide scheme in early 2008.
The scope of the Help Scheme is based on Government research that indicates that the eligible groups are the least likely to have digital TV and the most likely to struggle with adopting it.
The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act enables the Help Scheme to identify people who are eligible and write to them directly inviting them to apply for help.
Who is eligible for the Help Scheme?
The help scheme will be offered to all households in which one person:
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Is aged 75 years or over; or
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Has a significant disability – that is, those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance; or
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Is registered blind or partially sighted
People will be eligible if they meet these criteria at any time during a nine-month period, which will start eight months before switchover is completed in their TV region.
What will people get?
All eligible households will be entitled to a choice of options for getting their digital TV services, depending on what platforms are regionally available.
Help will include providing the necessary equipment to convert one television set. The equipment will be designed with the user’s needs in mind. If necessary, the Scheme will also help with installation and use of equipment, and provide an aerial replacement.
Households will be able to choose:
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A terrestrial digital box provided by the scheme and, if required, help to install and use it
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A digital television recorder or an integrated digital TV for an extra cost
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A free satellite service for an extra cost
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Some money off a subscription service, such as Sky, Virgin Media or BT Vision
How much does it cost?
There will be a £40.00 charge for the basic equipment and help.
However, the scheme will be free where the qualifying person or partner is also in receipt of an income-related benefit (income support or income-based job seeker’s allowance) or pension credit (both guaranteed and savings credit in pension credit).
The help scheme will be funded through the TV licence fee. The BBC will lead the delivery of the scheme, although day-to-day operation will be contracted out.
How was the Help Scheme developed?
Research showed that older people and disabled people would potentially have the most difficulty during digital switchover. That is why Government has targeted help on these groups and focused on help with installation and use.
The then-DTI and DCMS, with advice from the BBC, worked with the Consumer Expert Group on core receiver requirements for the consumer equipment that best meets the needs of older and disabled people. The specification for the tender process to deliver the Help Scheme requires that equipment supplied under the Scheme should meet the Core Receiver Requirements as far as practical.
The Consumer Expert Group wrote a report for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC setting out their views as to the nature of the support package being offered to specific vulnerable consumers and made a series of recommendations. The Government’s formal response was published on 18 December 2006.
What about others who might need extra help?
There may be people who are not eligible for the Help Scheme but who may still want some extra help through switchover. Digital UK is working with local charities, volunteer and consumer groups to determine who those people are, and to ensure that they know what to do. Digital UK is planning a programme of community outreach and practical support in conjunction with leading charities.
Digital UK’s voluntary sector network will also aim to offer tailored advice to all those who might face particular difficulties with switchover.
Relevant Research:
Supporting the most vulnerable consumers through digital switchover
The report presents the conclusions of the Independent Ofcom Consumer Panel. The Panel has a responsibility to understand consumer issues and concerns related to the communications sector and to help inform Ofcom's decision-making by raising specific issues relevant to the consumer interest.
The report makes a number of recommendations on the steps that need to be taken to ensure that the interests of the most vulnerable consumers are protected (25 November 2004)
Further Information:
The Governments own website is a very useful source of information on Digital Television and the process of conversion as well as information on suitable televisions and avoiding undue expenditure.
For those who are planning to install Sky it is worth getting more than one quotation for the installation to ensure what you pay is competitive.
Government Website: www.digitaluk.co.uk
Other useful website links:
