By Ella Legg
VICTORIA: Mildura electrical retailers have applauded the Government’s handling of the digital switchover that took place in the Mildura-Sunraysia region yesterday.
According to local retailers, the digital switchover process had been extremely visible in the region.
Harvey Norman Mildura salesperson Stuart Lee said: “There was a regular weekly column in the newspaper, answering frequently asked questions about the analogue network switch-off.
“The switchover was given plenty of airtime on TV, too.”
“At our local shopping centre there was a neon signboard that was hard to miss which counted down the months, weeks, and finally, the hours until the switch off.”
Stuart’s only criticism was levelled at the assistance given to residents in marginal areas.
“Many people living in marginal areas needed a satellite dish installed in addition to a specific set top box. Only a couple of retailers in Mildura can install and supply the satellite dish, which caused a backlog.”
“The backlog is likely to take a couple of weeks to resolve.”
“Overall though, I thought the switchover was handled well.”
Retravision Mildura salesperson Nicole Priest agreed.
“There’s certainly been enough information out there for people to be aware of it.”
Priest added that some visiting tourists were caught out by yesterday’s digital switchover.
“A couple of tourists staying in the local caravan park were caught out – they came into the store today to tell us their TVs had stopped working.”