Upgrading digital TV

An upgrade to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in the UK could mean more new channels and services, if proposals from Ofcom are given approval.

Ofcom says that its proposed upgrade would create more capacity, allowing high definition television channels on DTT – on which Freeview operates – as early as 2009.

Ofcom believes that the upgrade could be complete in time for digital switchover in the Granada television region, which is due to take place in late 2009 /early 2010. The new services would then be available as switchover is rolled out across the rest of the UK, completing with four HD services being available by 2012.

Importantly, the proposals rely on embracing two new standards - MPEG4 and DVB-T2. The MPEG4 compression standard is expected to be up to twice as efficient as the current MPEG2 standard that is in use, while the new European transmission standard DVB-T2, will increase capacity by at least 30 per cent.