The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has today published a report of a trial conducted in Bolton to investigate what type of support would be needed at digital switchover by people aged 75 and over.

The results of the trial, run jointly by the DCMS and the BBC, show that:

• 98% of participants felt watching digital TV was better or the same as watching analogue.
• 93% thought the process of switching to digital TV had been easy.
• 69% of participants were able to install equipment themselves or with the help of friends and family.
• Once their equipment was installed, 67% said they most liked the extra channels, whilst 20% most liked the improved reception.
• 92% found the specially prepared and clearly written instruction booklet helpful.
• Older and disabled people need time to adapt to using new equipment - after four weeks, 74% of people were reporting problems with their equipment but more than 80% reported no problems with equipment just four weeks later.

The Bolton findings show that social isolation is a critical factor in increasing the difficulties trial participants experienced . There may not be a direct correlation between the 1 in 3 who needed engineers help and the 1 in 3 who are socially isolated but we now need to know who does need the help and why. This concurs with the reportof the Ofcom Consumer Panel to Tessa Jowell in November 2004 showing how important social isolation was as a factor affecting digital TV take-up.