London Could Get Freeview HD By 2010
Ofcom has outlined plans which could see Londoners receive HD TV on the Freeview platform as early as 2010.
The regulator has launched a consultation to look at temporarily reassigning Freeview spectrum, allowing some high density population areas to receive services such as HD TV earlier than planned.
London was going to receive Freeview HD services in 2012, however, following a request from the BBC, Ofcom has looked at the city as a case study for possible accelerated roll-out.
Ofcom said that London is “one of the metropolitan areas identified by the BBC and one of the most congested geographic areas”.
“The case study assesses impacts on existing spectrum users and concludes that, in this instance, the impacts would be minimal and therefore an assignment could be made.
“We believe the benefits are likely to outweigh the costs … the benefits to citizens and consumers of assigning frequencies to enable early launch are significant.”
Ofcom announced last week that ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC would launch HD channels on Freeview next year.
Under existing plans, only Granada would get HD on Freeview late next year, followed by Wales, Scotland and the West Country by 2010. Viewers in the ITV regions Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian would be able to get the services in 2011, with London, Tyne Tees and Ulster following in 2012.
The consultation on proposals to fast track the introduction of Freeview HD closes on November 19.
Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk