News Release

25th July 2007

DIGITAL TV SWITCHOVER CON

Although digital TV switchover won't happen in the midlands until 2011, Michael Fabricant has heard of a number of cases where elderly and vulnerable people have been conned into buying unnecessary and expensive outdoor aerial systems by cowboy contractors. "I first heard about this when my constituent, Ray Bridge, contacted me and I have since heard of many other cases" says Michael Fabricant. "Ray Bridge is an approved aerial contractor and he has told me that on numerous visits he has had to remove monstrous high priced installations and replace them with more moderately priced systems that work.

"Although the existing analogue TV service will be available up until 2011 in the Central ITV area, it is worth going digital for all the extra free TV channels. But usually, existing outdoor aerials will work just fine. But after 2011, the analogue signal will be switched off so if you haven't made provision to receive digital television, you will get no TV at all."

To find out what the Government is doing to protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors, Michael contacted Gareth Thomas who is the Government Minister for Trade at the new Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform - what used to be called the Department of Trade and Industry.

Gareth Thomas has now written back to Michael Fabricant saying:-

One very helpful step consumers can take is to report any instances of rogue installation work to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Or, in Staffordshire to Staffordshire County Council Consumer Services, 14 Martin Street, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2LG t: 01785 277888 f: 01785 259760

Despite the range of actions Government and Industry are taking, there will Inevitably be some occurrences of rogue trading. We are working closely with the Police and Trading Standards to ensure the importance of this issue is understood. and that prompt action is taken where any cases are identified. In May, for example, we and Digital UK hosted a public protection forum on digital switchover, which was attended by Trading Standards, the Registered Digital lnstaller (RDI) Licensing Body and the two trade associations for the aerial industry.

In order to provide recognition of trustworthy and competent aerial installers, we launched an industry-wide scheme last year - the RDI Scheme. RDI accreditation is based on NVQ qualification, public liability insurance and a successful criminal records check. The Scheme is being promoted heavily by Digital UK, the not-for-profit organisation set up by the public service broadcasters to lead the implementation of switchover, within the aerial industry and to consumers as a key way of identifying reliable aerial installers. I understand that Mr Bridge is one of the first installers to gain RDI accreditation in the Lichfield area, and the RDI Licensing Body is working to ensure that many more follow.

Ofcom predicts that 5-10% of households will need to upgrade their roof-top aerial if they are to receive digital terrestrial signals at switchover. Digital UK's communications will help consumers to identify if they fall within this group. For example, consumers are advised to consult Teletext page 284, as this provides an indication of whether they are able to receive a good TV signal through their current aerial installation and, in Whitehaven, Digital UK are trialling the use of hand-held signal strength testers.