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01|06|05

Ofcom publishes statement on Digital Terrestrial Television coverage plans for switchover

Ofcom today sets out coverage plans for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmission following digital switchover.

Ofcom consulted on a range of options relating to the technical conditions for DTT broadcasts in February 2005. These technical conditions included analysis of the power levels, transmission mode and the number of transmitters to be used for DTT. In reaching its final decision, Ofcom has taken into account all responses received to its public consultation and all relevant statutory duties.

Ofcom has decided on the option which allows:

• Anticipated DTT coverage to reach at least the same proportion of households (98.5 per cent) after switchover as are reached by current analogue television broadcasts. This is designed to ensure that after switchover UK households continue to receive the nationally available public service television channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4/S4C);
  
  It is important to note that currently 1.5 per cent of UK households (around 375,000 households) are unable to receive all four of the main public service television channels. Ofcom is undertaking research to explore the means of bringing digital television to a higher proportion of UK households than the 98.5 per cent presently reached by analogue.
  
• extra capacity for additional services on DTT for viewers which could be used for interactive services, radio, television or other services such as High Definition television.

The final statement on Planning Options for Digital Switchover is available via the Related Items link to the right of this page.

Ends.

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