All readers of OfcomWatch will be familiar with the UK programme for digital switchover, starting in 2008 and finishing in 2012 (except for the Channel Islands which will be in 2013). Now this is a massive and immensely complicated project involving every household in the country - but does it have to take four years?

Originally the UK was a pioneer in digital television, being the first country in the world to launch digital terrestrial. But increasingly it is looking like a lagard in the actual timetable for switchover.

Consider some of the countries that are planning to complete switchover before us: Australia (2010), Denmark (2010), Finland (2007), France (2010), Germany (2010), Italy (2008), Japan (2011), Norway (2008), Spain (2010), South Korea (2010), Sweden (2008), USA (2009).

If we find that the first few UK regions to switch over go relatively smoothly, is there not a case for getting the whole thing over more quickly and releasing the relevant spectrum faster? If so, what are the constraints?

I’m told that the main problem is the conversion work on the 1154 transmitters and the shortage of skilled labour to cary out this work. So I wonder how long it would take to train sufficient staff to a sufficient standard to bring forward analogue switchoff by say 12-18 months? The sooner we ask these questions, the more feasible a faster timetable would be.