Tech
Freeview has been selected as the Switchover Help Scheme's standard offer to eligible viewers in the ITV Westcountry region.
The scheme offers installation of one set top box and the conversion, where necessary, of aerials, to people who are aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or eligible for certain disability benefits, for £40. Those who receive income benefits are eligible to receive the package for free.
Any eligible person living in an area not served by post-switchover digital terrestrial coverage will be able to have Freesat installed instead.
The Westcountry region will begin its switch to digital next year. The Switchover Help Scheme is already active in Border, which switches this year; there, the selection of Sky as the standard offer provoked criticism from a local MP and the chairman of the government-appointed consumer expert group on digital switchover.
In the Westcountry area, Sky chose to bid as an alternative provider instead of being the standard offer. A spokesperson told DS: "Firstly, we are focused currently on providing a high quality of service as the provider of the standard offer in Border. We are also conscious that the geographical challenges of West Country, with its many sparsely populated areas, may make it difficult to meet many of the criteria of the standard offer (e.g. service visits within 24-hours).
"We have put together a great alternative offer for those eligible for the Help Scheme in the West Country, the details of which are now being agreed with the Help Scheme.
"We'll consider further opportunities to provide the Standard Offer in other regions as DSO progresses."
The scheme offers installation of one set top box and the conversion, where necessary, of aerials, to people who are aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or eligible for certain disability benefits, for £40. Those who receive income benefits are eligible to receive the package for free.
Any eligible person living in an area not served by post-switchover digital terrestrial coverage will be able to have Freesat installed instead.
The Westcountry region will begin its switch to digital next year. The Switchover Help Scheme is already active in Border, which switches this year; there, the selection of Sky as the standard offer provoked criticism from a local MP and the chairman of the government-appointed consumer expert group on digital switchover.
In the Westcountry area, Sky chose to bid as an alternative provider instead of being the standard offer. A spokesperson told DS: "Firstly, we are focused currently on providing a high quality of service as the provider of the standard offer in Border. We are also conscious that the geographical challenges of West Country, with its many sparsely populated areas, may make it difficult to meet many of the criteria of the standard offer (e.g. service visits within 24-hours).
"We have put together a great alternative offer for those eligible for the Help Scheme in the West Country, the details of which are now being agreed with the Help Scheme.
"We'll consider further opportunities to provide the Standard Offer in other regions as DSO progresses."
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