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Executive Summary

S.1. Ofcom issued a consultation entitled “Planning Options for Digital Switchover” on 9 February 2005 (the Consultation). The Consultation closed on 21 March (with the exception of an extended consultation on Question 14 which closed on the 11 April). This Statement sets out Ofcom’s view on which of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) planning options set out in the Consultation is most appropriate.

S.2. A number of different planning options were set out in the Consultation. These covered the power levels, use of new transmitters and transmission mode to be used after switchover for DTT signals.

S.3. Different options have different coverage levels and costs associated with them. Some would also lead to higher levels of DTT capacity than others. In reaching its decisions on the various issues in this Consultation, Ofcom has carefully considered all of the consultation responses received and has also taken account of all of its relevant statutory duties as well as other relevant considerations.

S.4. The responses to the questions raised by the Consultation and Ofcom’s analysis of the issues raised are discussed in more detail in Sections 3 and 4 of this Statement. Ofcom’s main conclusions arising from this analysis are as follows:

• It is appropriate that all three multiplexes which broadcast public service broadcasting channels should aim to achieve similar levels of coverage at all sites being operated for DTT by adopting the same mode and similar levels of power.
  
• The commercial multiplex operators should be able to determine their own coverage objectives in the light of their particular commercial interests provided that they do not allow the coverage of any multiplexes to fall below its current level (i.e. 73 per cent of UK households should continue to receive coverage of all six DTT multiplexes). Ofcom also believes that, subject to their own commercial interests they should also aim to achieve similar levels of coverage to each other (it is expected that the maximum coverage that the commercial multiplexes could achieve will be around 90 per cent).
  
• The impact assessment carried out in Section 3 indicates that a planning option which involves all three PSB multiplexes adopting the 64 QAM mode at switchover (Option 3 in the Consultation) has advantages over other options. In particular, allowing the use of 64QAM allows more channels to be made available to DTT viewers. Ofcom is in favour of the public service multiplex operators adopting Option 3 provided that steps are taken to ensure that:
  
  • coverage of the nationally available terrestrial TV channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4) continues to reach at least 98.5 per cent of UK households after switchover; and
  • digital switchover can be achieved between 2008 – 2012.

S.5. Ofcom will work closely with the broadcasters over the next few months to develop the switchover plan further and will seek to obtain the necessary international clearance for this planning option. If such clearances cannot be obtained, however, Ofcom may have to revisit this issue next year.

S.6. Another issue considered was the technical specification of DTT transmissions . The DTT transmissions currently use a variant of the DVB-T standard known as 2k. Ofcom consulted on whether there should be a UK wide adoption of an alternative variant known as 8k, which allows the use of single frequency operation. Having considered the consultation responses, Ofcom has decided that the adoption of the 8k format is essential in those areas where single frequency operation will be required. That is those areas where additional transmitters required by Option 3 are to be adopted. It therefore proposes that these areas (covering the Meridian and Anglia regions) will adopt the 8k format when they are converted to all digital operation. The rest of the UK will adopt the 8k format by the final digital switchover date of 2012, unless it can be shown to Ofcom’s satisfaction that the impact of an earlier adoption would have minimal impact on viewers with 2k equipment.

S.7. Ofcom proposes to defer any decision on the issue of self help schemes and current deficiencies in terrestrial TV coverage whilst further discussions are being held with those affected.

S.8. Ofcom also wishes to emphasise two important issues. Firstly, the Consultation and this statement necessarily focus on terrestrial TV and the implications for this platform through switchover. Ofcom has specific responsibilities for the licensing and regulation of this platform, including the management of the radio spectrum used by terrestrial TV. However, DTT is only one of a range of options that most households will have for receiving TV after switchover. It is important that DTT is planned in the context of digital TV more generally, and that appropriate technological neutrality is maintained between different platforms. Ofcom is committed to achieving switchover in the UK to the agreed timetable on a multi-platform basis.

S.9. Second, the figure of 98.5 per cent of UK households is an important benchmark in considering the future coverage of DTT since it represents the current percentage of households with predicted analogue TV coverage today. However, Ofcom is also concerned with the interests of the 1.5 per cent of households (around 375,000 households) who are currently not served by the four analogue public television services. We are currently undertaking further research on these households, considering if and how they are using TV at present and what options will be available to them after switchover. The aim of this work is to seek to ensure that the interests of all UK television households continue to be protected through switchover.

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• Planning Options for Digital Switchover - Statement [pdf]
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