Digital switchover could raise €180m, says Minister

THE SALE of broadband spectrum as a result of the changeover from analogue to digital television could net the taxpayer €180 million, the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has said.

Mr Rabbitte said the spectrum could be sold at the end of this year or at the start of next year.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of Saorview, the digital terrestrial television service, he said the freeing up of spectrum should enhance existing broadband services by making them quicker.

“We now have penetration of broadband throughout the country, but speeds are not what we want them to be and this is an aspect of improving that.” he said.

“As valuable as the income is in the present set of circumstances, more valuable is the chance to enhance broadband to citizens.”

Mr Rabbitte announced that October 24th next year will be the final date for television viewers, who are without cable or satellite television, to switch over from analogue to digital. If they do not do so by then, their television will go blank. About 250,000 households will be affected.

Mr Rabbitte joked that it would be an “appalling vista” if thousands of homes were left without a television signal after the switchover, but he expressed confidence that this would not happen.

Research by Millward Brown Lansdowne has found that 23 per cent of the public are still not aware of the digital switchover, mostly people over 55.

Veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne is to be the face of the public awareness campaign, which will be run over the next year.

A television commercial that shows Byrne through the years as the former Late Late Showpresenter giving details of the digital switchover is to be broadcast in the coming months.

Mr Rabbitte said Byrne was chosen because it was important to reassure people that the changeover from analogue to digital, which involves the purchase of a set-top box, was not complicated.

The Minister said there were no proposals to provide financial assistance for people from poorer backgrounds to make the switchover. Instead, he explained the Government would be using community groups to get across the message about how and why the changeover needed to be made.

DIGITAL TV: Q&As

What is digital television?

Traditional analogue television is broadcast from transmitter sites and picked up by aerials. Digital TV sends them as computerised data, which is faster and more efficient. It promises clearer pictures and a wider variety of choice.

Who will be affected?

The switchover will affect all households that do not have either cable such as UPC or satellite television such as Sky. In other words those who still receive their signals through an aerial, which is about 250,000 households.

They are mostly in Connacht-Ulster (32 per cent) and Munster (20 per cent). They include almost half of all farming households and 28 per cent of people over the age of 55.

What channels will be featured on Saorview?

The service will feature eight domestic television channels – RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2 HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, RTÉ Jr, RTÉ One+1, 3e and RTÉ Digital Aertel, as well as radio stations.

How much is a set-top box?

A basic Saorview-approved set-top box is about €100.

Will those who cannot afford it receive Government help?

No.

Do you need a new TV?

No.

What happens after October 24th, 2012, if a householder has not switched over?

Their television will not show any pictures.