Rome will switch off its analogue TV transmitters on 16 November 2009, becoming the first European capital city to go digital. After this date viewers will need to convert or upgrade their TV equipment to receive digital signals by connecting it to a digital-to-analogue converter box (decoder) or by satellite or broadband.

The switch-off began across the Lazio region earlier this year; TV channels Rai Due and Rete 4 have only been available over digital terrestrial since 16 June 2009. All analogue transmitters will be switched off across Lazio between 16-30 November 2009.

The government has made available a