Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act 2007
This page was previously called Digital Switchover (Disclosure
of Information) Bill 2006–07.
The Bill received Royal Assent on 18 June
2007.
"Digital switchover" is the process by which analogue television
broadcasting signals will be phased out in favour of digital
signals. The process will allow many more television channels to be
carried using less radio spectrum (a finite resource) than is
currently used. It will involve converting the analogue terrestrial
transmission network to digital, allowing digital television to be
received via a conventional aerial as well as on other
platforms.
In September 2005 the government confirmed the timetable for
digital switchover. Starting in Whitehaven at the end of 2007 and
the rest of the Scottish Borders in 2008, digital switchover will
roll out by ITV region until the programme is completed in Northern
Ireland in 2012 and the Channel Islands in 2013.
A key part of the switchover policy is to ensure that adequate
advice and assistance is available to those who need to convert. In
September 2005 the government announced that a Digital Switchover
Help Scheme would be established with the BBC.
This Act is designed to support such a Scheme by creating
legal authority for the disclosure of social security information
to the BBC, certain companies controlled by the BBC or the Crown,
and any person engaged by the BBC, the Secretary of State or such a
company to provide services or carry out functions in connection
with switchover help functions.
The original Bill was introduced in November 2006.
See:
