London could get Freeview HD by 2010
High-definition TV via Freeview could be coming to London earlier than planned. Ofcom is considering plans to speed up the introduction of high-definition TV on Freeview in London which could bring the service forward by two years.
Initially London was expected to get Freeview HD in 2012, as we reported here, but now Ofcom has been asked by the BBC to look at temporarily reassigning some spectrum frequencies to allow certain areas to get the service earlier.
The industry regulator is looking at London as a case study as the most likely region to get Freeview HD services ahead of schedule.
"The case study assesses impacts on existing spectrum users and concludes that, in this instance, the impact would be minimal and therefore an assignment [of temporary spectrum for HD services] could be made," says Ofcom. Its consultation on the proposal closes on November 19th.
Last week Ofcom announced that ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC would launch HD channels on Freeview next year in the Granada TV region.
Comments
We've already got this in little old New Zealand. It came live about 6 months after we got sd Freeview... I'm surprised it's taking so long to be available in London.
Blimey, I cant get SD Freeview until late 2010....will soon be ready for me pipe & slippers
Having to wait so long for HD Freeview to come about I think people will look for alternatives, namely Sky & Freesat.