Ofcom Makes Plans For Post Switchover TV Coverage

Ofcom has outlined its coverage plans for digital terrestrial television (DTT) transmission following the switch to digital-only broadcasts in 2012.

The media watchdog’s plans stem from a consultation held in February, detailing options for technical characteristics of the UK’s broadcast network, including analysis of the power levels, transmission modes and number of transmitters required by DTT.

Ofcom’s plans demand that DTT coverage reach at least the same proportion of households after switchover as are reached by current analogue broadcasts, 98.5%, a move designed to ensure continued provision of public service television channels BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4/S4C.

The watchdog also states that it is undertaking research to investigate bringing digital broadcasts to a higher proportion of UK households than the 98.5 per cent presently reached by analogue.

The switch to digital-only transmissions will result in increased power output from existing transmitters, improving signal quality and allowing extra capacity on the DTT spectrum. Ofcom claims that the increased bandwidth could be used for interactive services, radio, television or other services in the future, such as high definition television.

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk