New Ofcom rules will bring HD to Freeview

Communications regulator, Ofcom, is proposing a technology upgrade to allow more channels and high definition (HD) broadcasts.

The regulator proposes to change coding standard used for digital terrestrial television (DTT) from MPEG2 to MPEG4, which is twice as efficient.

The DVB-T2 European transmission standard would also be adopted, increasing capacity by at least 30 per cent.

The upgrade could allow HD TV on Freeview as early as 2009 and will offer more channels and a greater range of services. The more efficient use of the broadcasting spectrum could benefit the UK economy by up to £6bn over 25 years.

Existing DTT set-top boxes are based on MPEG-2, and this signal would continue to be transmitted under the proposals. It had previously been feared that the MPEG2 signal would be switched off.

However, to receive the upgraded service, viewers will have to buy new set-top boxes or sets compatible with MPEG4 and DVB-T2.