Ofcom plans faster roll-out of Freeview HD

Ofcom has responded to a request from the BBC to make it possible for Londoners to receive high definition over Freeview before the digital switchover date for the capital in 2012.

Tyne Tees and Ulster may also be put on a fast track to receive HD Freeview, if the regulator’s plans for a pilot scheme come to fruition.

Ofcom’s plan is outlined in a consultation paper entitled “Temporary assignment of UHF analogue interleaved frequencies”.

It involves temporarily reassigning some spectrum frequencies for high definition broadcasts until the switchover is completed in 2012.

This would be a big bonus for football fans, as they could then watch the 2010 football World Cup in HD.

The news follows Ofcom’s recent announcement that ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC will launch HD channels on Freeview next year.

Story link: Ofcom plans faster roll-out of Freeview HD