COOLOOLA Coast residents who have experienced bad TV reception during the switch-over from analog to digital have been assured technical issues are being repaired.

“It is a particularly difficult area,” Digital Switchover Taskforce executive director Nerida O’Loughlin said.

Ms O’Loughlin said more than 80% of Wide Bay residents had made the switch to digital TV as the December 6 deadline drew nearer.

The taskforce would dramatically increase its presence on the Fraser Coast over the next four months to ensure the area was fully switched over.

Ms O’Loughlin said the taskforce expected many of the remaining 17% who still used analog TV to be elderly people or those on a pension.

“More than 30,000 people in the region have already received letters through Centrelink to let them know they had access to a government-funded program.”

The program supplies a free high-definition set top box, installation and an in-home demonstration for people who cannot access help from friends and family.

Ms O’Loughlin urged people who received a letter to take it seriously and not leave the switchover to the last minute.

“We think it is pretty on track,” she said.

“We’ll be ramping up our communication into communities to remind people the deadline is coming.”