EIGHTY per cent of Darling Downs households have already made the switch to digital television.

For the remaining 20 per cent, there are still almost six months before their analogue TVs get the flick.

Digital Switchover Task Force head Nerida O’Loughlin said that while January’s floods had an impact, preparations were well under way for the change to digital.

“There’s been a lot of confusion because the original announcement said that the switch-over would happen between July 1 and the end of December,” she said.

“The date is now firmly set for December 6.

“Come December 6, we will be switching off analogue television for good.”

Ms O’Loughlin said the change would mean the end of the “poor reception woes” that had traditionally plagued Toowoomba’s mountainous topography.

“Toowoomba has always had reception issues, and it’s often unique to the region,” she said.

“A new transition site is being built at Picnic Point and there is work going on at Top Camp from June 30.”

For residents who can not wait to make the switch, a digital satellite service called VAST has been available since June 6.

“Basically, it’s 16 channels plus a local news channel and better reception,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

Anyone with a satellite dish more than 65cm in diameter can apply for the service online at myswitch.digitalready.gov.au.