[comtv-l] Ofcom and DTT

[Peter Reid]

Greetings.

People may be aware that Ofcom has today announced that, apparently with
little effort or pain, it will be making upgrades to digital terrestrial
broadcasting (Freeview) that will allow for a 20% increase in
broadcasting capacity. This will enable the carrying of a range of new
services including high definition channels.

With every new piece of information that emerges the case for universal
access to broadcasting facilities for communities grows stronger. If 20%
extra capacity can be so easily found and will be available, then the
case for allocating a small percentage of it to communities becomes ever
more unanswerable.

This is great news.

I look forward to the development of a national community television
network beginning soon.

Do we have any latest news from the CMA on these issues?

The Ofcom press release is here:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/11/nr_20071121

and the consultation document, which I haven't had time to read is here:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dttfuture/


All best,

Peter.