'Digital neighbourhood' created

Many households will receive free digital equipment

The UK Government is creating a digital television neighbourhood to test viewer reaction and the practical issues of switching off analogue services.

More than 300 homes in the Midlands area will take part in the trial, aimed at testing consumer attitudes and the logistics of switching to digital television.

The Government has set a target of between 2006 and 2010 for all analogue services to be switched off, although there are concerns about the feasibility of this.

Go Digital is part of an ongoing commitment to the Government's white paper Opportunity for All in a World of Change, aiming to provide digital television for everybody.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has stipulated that 99.4% of homes should be able to receive digital before the big switch over.

Its figures show at least 30% of households already have digital.

But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has expressed her concern that the target switch off date will not be met, fearing not enough consumers are aware of the changes.

Industry-backed

Go Digital is backed by 17 companies from every sector of the broadcasting industry including the BBC, BskyB, Channel 4 and NTL.

The trial will be phased in, starting with 30 households around Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth and Lichfield.

Another 300 households will then be added to the scheme.

Go Digital will then decide whether the trial was wide enough or whether more testing areas should be considered.

To convert each home to all digital free-to-air services a number of receivers will have to be installed.

No subscription-based channels or pay-per-view services will be given away free.