Switching to Digital TV - the cost

The new age of  Television is set to be complete in 2012/2013 as the old analogue signal is withdrawn and the digital signal hits the airwaves.

Although 70% of the country currently utilise digital television services, there is another 30% will that probably never be a part of the digital domain.  Many low income families can't afford the switch over as the prices may be too exorbitant to fully enjoy digital TV.  Why?

For starters, all TV's in one house will require a Top Box for that TV.  Many old televisions don't have the technology to run Digital even when hooked up to a Top Box.  On top of having to buy a new TV and a new Top Box, the public need to switch their old aerials to UHF aerials.  Now a new LCD/LED/Plasma HD TV costs from around $500 upwards, a top box can cost from $150 to $500, and an aerial will set you back $50, not to mention the cost for multiple plugs and cabling for each TV's Top Box, plus the cost of installation.  There is also a bottom end cost, owning TV's that won't resell, and aerials that just aren't viable to sell.

I have this vision that a lot of people aren't going to be able to share in the new technology and that worries me.  I applaud the Governments haste to get this up and running, but there is a serious end result that the poor and low income earners are going to miss out not only on the technology and wider range of programmes, but on seeing any TV at all.

I think one way to circumvent that issue is that all those old 14" and 21" TV's out there that fill one bedroom flats or boarding houses be able to access a cheaper service by returning their TV's and Aerials to a collection agency, getting a rebate coupon, and then going to the dealers and getting their replacement TV and Top Box and Aerial at a subsidised rate.  This scheme will also allow for the old technology to be disposed of in a clean green manner and not just dumped on the sides of roads around the country.

Remember, if your TV runs on rabbit ears you won't get Digital TV.  Can you imagine 1,260,000 people not having access to Television?