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Making the switch
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1. What to do if you are still using analog TV signals
Analog TV channels in Singapore will be switched off at the end of this year.
If you do not have a digital set-top box or a digital-ready TV, and are not a pay-TV subscriber, you will not be able to watch free-to-air TV channels after that.
If you are a StarHub TV or Singtel TV subscriber, you do not need to do anything as you are already watching digital TV.
If you are not a subscriber, existing TV sets can still be used to watch free-to-air digital TV channels, but you will need to buy and connect a digital set-top box and an indoor ultra-high frequency antenna to the existing TV set.
For instance, a Draco DVB-T2 digital receiver, which comes with a built-in digital antenna, costs $99 at Courts.
If you have a TV set with a built-in digital tuner, all you need to buy is an indoor antenna, which costs around $39.
The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) has a help scheme for low-income families to make the transition from analog to digital TV.
Each eligible household will receive a free digital set-top box, an indoor antenna and installation service. Application forms are available at community centres or clubs and HDB branch offices.
Singaporeans are automatically included in this scheme, if they meet the scheme's eligibility criteria, and live in a one- or two-room HDB rental flat or receive assistance from the IMDA-Home Access Programme, Comcare, Community Health Assist Scheme, Singapore Indian Development Association, Mendaki or Chinese Development Assistance Council.
These people would have received notification letters from IMDA and are advised to contact the appointed vendor, M1 Limited, for the installation of the digital TV equipment.
2. What to do if you are still using a 2G mobile phone
All three telcos - Singtel, M1 and StarHub - will pull the plug on 2G services from April 1. After that, all mobile phone users have to use the 3G and 4G networks to make calls and send and receive SMSes.
To access the more advanced networks, you have to retire your 2G handset and use a 3G- or 4G-ready handset.
Singtel, M1 and StarHub are offering 3G and 4G handsets that cost little or even nothing to their post-paid customers, even those on lower-tier plans.