Digital Switchover

Digital switchover is the process of changing the broadcasting from analogue to digital. It is defined as the progressive migration of households, from analogue-only reception to digital reception. It involves converting the current broadcasting network, as well as encouraging everyone to convert or upgrade their TV, radio and recording equipment to receive digital broadcasting. Digital switchover is largely seen as an inevitable result of technological progress. It is an unpopular policy that people often see as coercive. This is partly because the national governments ’ rationale and motives for switchover are not entirely understood and trusted, and partly because people think analogue television will be ‘taken away ’ and therefore they will have to incur costs to be able to continue to watch television (Klein, Karger and Sinclair, 2004, pp. 8, 14). However, completing the switch to digital will bring significant benefits both to consumers and broadcasters. National economies as a whole are also expected to benefit. More specifically digital broadcasting brings: Increased choice and quality for viewers (as there will be more channels and the opportunity to provide a better image, including wide-screen aspect ratio, high definition and sound quality); Lower transaction costs or the ability to transmit more channels or services for the same cost. Broadcasters will no longer have to incur the costs of transmitting signals in both formats, releasing sources for investment in programming and other services for consumers; Better efficiency in spectrum use (as more data can be transmitted within the same bandwidth). Spectrum will be released to allow the development of more television and other services for consumers. Digital terrestrial television signals are also expected to reach the population who live in areas that cannot currently receive them because of spectrum limitations; and The ability to transmit associated data allowing for enhanced television or fully interactive applications when associated with a return-path facility (BIPE, 2002