Annex A
INITIATIVES TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL
TELEVISION
1. The Government's White Paper: Opportunity
for all in a world of change, published on 13 February 2001 set
out measures to promote the development and take-up of digital
television. As the first part of this strategy, DTI and DCMS working
with key players in the public and private sector will:
— develop a comprehensive action plan
to maximise the benefits of digital television;
— launch several small scale digital
pilots offering free conversion to digital television to defined
communities;
— promote public understanding of the
benefits digital television can offer; and
— ensure clearer and more informative
labelling of digital television services and equipment.
2. On 27 March, Government announced the
promotion of the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) logo as a means
for consumers to identify those television sets which are capable
of receiving digital signals from those which cannot. This was
in response to concerns that customer confusion was creating a
serious risk of consumers being misled. The logo was given wide
promotion on ITV over the Easter weekend.
3. In April, the Government announced details
of a programme to provide a series of neighbourhoods across the
country with free conversion to digital television. The programme
will help Government and industry understand better the practical
and social issues consumers face in switching from analogue to
digital television services. The scheme is being led by the ITC
who announced in August that an area encompassing Sutton Coldfield,
Litchfield and Tamworth will provide the location for the first
"Go Digital" TV pilot project.
4. The Government also announced a programme
to be run by the ITC to boost the power of digital signals from
8 key transmitters. This will allow many more viewers to receive
high quality digital terrestrial television.
5. In June, a comprehensive question and
answer leaflet was placed on the DCMS and DTI websites in October
a dedicated government website; www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk was
set up to give industry and consumers clear, up to date information
on digital television. In November, Free-to-View Digital TV—a
guide for retail staff produced by the Digital TV Group, was distributed
to staff in digital television retail outlets.
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