. Canada will join other nations around the world and make the switch from analog to digital TV signals by August 31, 2011;

. The U.S. is making the switch as early as February 17, 2009; this will affect Canadians who receive their TV signals from American border towns, and who use antennae or rabbit ears with an analog TV;

. To receive digital TV over the air you need a TV with a digital tuner or to add a converter box to an analog TV;

. The transition marks the most significant advancement of TV technology since the dawn of colour TV;

. A digital signal is much clearer than analog and takes up less bandwidth, thereby allowing space in the spectrum for more wireless services such as cell phones, wireless Internet and better radio service for police and fire departments;

. Converter boxes are currently available to Canadians from some specialty and online retailers and should become more readily available as the Canadian transition date approaches;

. Industry Canada will post regular updates about the switchover on its website at www.ConsumerInformation.ca.

- News Canada