17 October 2007
Whitehaven has become the first place in Britain to 'go digital', in a historic day for the broadcasting industry.
As of today, residents of the small Cumbrian town will no longer be able to receive BBC2 on the traditional analogue signal - with the other four terrestrial channels to be shut off in the area over the next few weeks.
The rest of the Borders region will make the switch to digital next year, with all other parts of the UK to change over by 2012.
To offset confusion about the service, which requires all TV owners to purchase a set-top box in order to continue use, the Digital UK organisation have said that they will send a leaflet to every household in the country ahead of the switch.
However, expert on Digital Switchover at the National Consumer Council Alison Hopkins said that she was "concerned that as digital switchover rolls-out, some people might get left behind or ripped-off in the process."
She added: "Although there is a help scheme available for the most vulnerable, not everyone who needs help will be eligible for it."
As a remedy, the council recommends that clearer information be available in shops regarding set-top boxes and other digital paraphernalia - and that "more robust" consumer protection measures should be imposed by the government regarding the service.
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