European digital deal is struck

[BGonaSTICK]

The chances of achieving a glitch-free digital switch-over by 2012 was given a boost today with the signing of an international agreement on frequency plans.

The agreement, signed by a British delegation and the broadcasting authorities in a number of European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, ensures the provision of digital terrestrial broadcasting free from international interference.

Led by Ofcom, the UK delegation to the International Telecommunication Union's regional radio communication conference in Geneva said it achieved all of its aims and ensured what the media regulator called a "smooth transition" towards giving digital TV to almost the entire UK population.

Under the agreement, the UK will be permitted to use all necessary transmitter sites to deliver public service television channels to 98.5% of the population - the same proportion as currently receive analogue television broadcasts.

Commercial digital television channels will be provided to up to 90% of the population and the parties also agreed to UK plans for the further expansion of digital radio services.

The outgoing Ofcom chief executive, Stephen Carter, said of the agreement: "This accelerates the move to all-digital broadcasting. 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."

The public service channels are all the BBC services, ITV channels 1-4, Channel 4 and E4, Channel Five and S4C and Teletext.

An Ofcom source said it was not known when the 10% of the British population who would not have access to other commercial channels would be able to get them.

"We went into this knowing we would have to compromise with our neighbours and that was the best we could get," he said.

Source: Media Guardian