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Home > Media and Analysts > News Release Archive > 2006 > Jun > 30|06|06
30|06|06
UK plans for digital switchover win International backing
Ofcom today announced an important step forward in the path to digital television switchover with an international agreement securing near-universal availability of digital terrestrial television (Freeview) in the UK by 2012, as well as international agreements to support the further expansion of digital radio.
Broadcast signals from the UK can interfere with those in neighbouring countries and vice-versa. It is therefore essential for countries to agree on international frequency plans to limit such interference. The UK's plans for digital television switchover and the addition of new digital radio services are therefore dependent on successful negotiations with France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, amongst many others.
Led by Ofcom, the UK delegation to the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva achieved all of its objectives to secure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting free from international interference or constraints.
Key outcomes include:
- The UK will be permitted to use all necessary transmitter sites to deliver Public Service Broadcasting digital terrestrial television channels to 98.5% of the population - the same proportion as currently receive analogue television broadcasts - and other commercial digital television channels to up to 90% of the population;
- International and bilateral agreements supporting UK plans for further expansion of digital radio services;
- The flexibility to allocate spectrum released by digital television switchover on a technology and service-neutral basis (subject to certain technical restrictions);
- Protection of analogue television broadcast signals until switchover; and
- Protection of non-broadcasting services - including mobile communications, radar and radio astronomy - within the frequency ranges under review.
Ofcom Chief Executive Stephen Carter said: “This accelerates the move to all-digital broadcasting.”
He added: “After months of detailed negotiations involving more than 100 countries, this successful outcome is testament to the hard work and dedication of the UK delegation.”
Ends.
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