Digital TV switchover in the Anglia TV region
The switchover from analogue to digital TV in the Anglia TV
region took place in July 2011 (for south
Suffolk) and November 2011 (for north
Suffolk).
If you haven't done so already you will need to convert your TVs
to receive the digital signal in order to keep your TV service.
Cable and satellite services are not affected by the
switchover.
This doesn’t mean that you will have to get rid of your
old set as almost any TV can be converted with a digital
box, even a black and white one, so there is no need to buy a new
TV unless you want to.
The Digital UK website (new window) provides a
wealth of information on the switchover, providing detailed answers
to a range of questions you may have about why it
has happened.
An advice line is also available on 08456 50 50
50.
Digital Switchover Help Scheme
There is also a Digital Switchover Help Scheme which will be
available to you if you are:
- Aged 75 or over; or
- Have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
- Get (or could get) certain disability benefits; or
- Are registered blind or partially sighted.
If you are eligible, they will provide you with impartial advice
on what equipment, if any, you need. Help with arranging
installation if necessary, and help with the use of the new
equipment. For further information on the scheme, call free on
0800 40 85 900 or visit the
Digital Switchover Help Scheme website (new
window).
Digital TV consumer test reports
Ricability has been commissioned by the Department for Business,
Innovation & Skills to support the UK’s switchover to digital
TV. Ricability is an independent consumer research organisation
founded by Which? On its digital TV website you’ll find test
reports on a range of digital TV products such as set-top boxes,
recommendations for the easiest to use and lots more:
If you are planning to upgrade your TV, try
to buy one that is energy efficient (new
window) - look out for the Energy Saving Trust's
'Recommended' logo.
Disposing of your old TV set
Remember that switchover doesn’t mean that you will have to get
rid of your old set as almost any TV can be converted with a
digital box.
If you do decide to get rid of your old TV, and it is in good
working order, you could offer it for reuse on the
Freecycle (new window) or
Freegle (new window) websites.
Alternatively, you can take your old set for recycling, free of
charge, at the
household waste recycling centres at Foxhall,
Felixstowe and Leiston. You can ask the supplier delivering your
new TV if they have a service for taking the old one away, or you
can arrange for Suffolk Coastal Services to collect
it at a cost of £40.
Do not dump your old TV - flytipping is a
criminal offence, if caught, you could face a very large fine and
even be sent to prison.
When will analogue radio services switch to digital?
Analogue radio services (AM and FM radio) are unaffected by the
digital TV switchover.
The Digital Economy Act, which passed through Parliament and was
published in April 2010, contains provisions to enable the
transition from analogue to digital radio and gives the Government
the power to specify digital switchover dates for radio. Such a
date has not been set yet although 2015 is an industry target
date.
The Government has prepared
a Digital Radio Action Plan (new window) which
includes certain criteria which must be met before a switchover to
digital radio takes place. The criteria put forward in the plan
include national digital radio (DAB) coverage being comparable with
FM coverage and a target of 50 per cent of all radio listening
being via digital (either through DAB, internet or digital TV).
Until those criteria are met, no switchover will take
place.