A new report has revealed that information about the digital switchover is not getting through to people who need it most.

The Ofcom Consumer Panel found some consumers were confused about which equipment to buy. The advisory group also found that people lacked confidence about installing digital TV themselves.

The panel is calling upon Digital UK, the body set up to manage the switch from analogue to digital television, to do more promotion of its helpline, with a rolling information channel on Freeview to give switchover information.

Panel chairwoman Colette Bowe said the Going Digital research was carried out to understand vulnerable consumers' experience of the switchover process.

"Going Digital has raised urgent, practical issues about targeting information and support to vulnerable groups that need to be addressed and be part of the regional planning before the first region, the Borders, switches to digital in 2008," she said.

The Ofcom Consumer Panel is an independent body which was set up to advise the communications regulator.

Digital UK is owned by a number of interested parties including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext.

A spokesman for Digital UK said: "We don't agree that information is not reaching vulnerable groups and should point out that nearly all the recommendations put forward in this report, including promotion of the help scheme and provision of technical information, are already happening. Our research shows older viewers are among the most well informed about switchover and generally tell us they are not overly concerned."

David Sinclair, head of policy for Help the Aged, said: "These findings are very worrying. For nearly half the older people in the UK, television is their main form of company, so it is essential that switchover for them is as hassle-free as possible." 

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