BBC appoints eaga as the preferred supplier to the Digital Switchover Help Scheme

The BBC has selected eaga plc (eaga) as the preferred supplier to deliver the Digital Switchover Help Scheme, subject to contract.



Up to seven million people will be eligible for support from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme to convert one television set to digital during switchover between now and 2013.



People eligible for the Help Scheme are those 75 and over, able to get certain disability benefits, or registered blind or partially sighted.



The support they can get from the Help Scheme includes:



Help to choose the right equipment option



Easy-to-use equipment that suits their needs



Installing it at their home



Fitting a new aerial where needed and possible



Someone to call for help when people are getting used to the equipment.



eaga will contact each eligible person directly and will deliver or install, in line with their particular needs. They will provide the scheme contact centre, equipment and home installation.



eaga has been selected from a shortlist of three following a competitive dialogue and rigorous procurement process.



The Help Scheme is projected to cost £603 million, of which about £500m was allocated to the estimated service supplier costs. The actual terms of the contract are commercially confidential. The service provider contract is for five years until switchover is completed in early 2013.