London could get Freeview HD in 2009

London and other key metropolitan areas could begin receiving Freeview HD services in time for the 2010 World Cup, it emerged today.

The BBC has applied to Ofcom for temporary frequency assignments that would enable it to launch the reconfigured version of multiplex B - which will carry high definition services from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 - far earlier in some areas than the current timetable would permit.

Under existing plans, only Granada, Wales, Scotland and the West Country will have access to Freeview HD services by 2010. Viewers in the ITV regions Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian would be able to get the services in 2011, with London, Tyne Tees and Ulster following in 2012.

The BBC's request, which Ofcom is now consulting on, would see "analogue interleaved spectrum" - that is, those frequencies that lie between those used for analogue TV broadcasts in particular areas - temporarily assigned to the corporation for the purposes of broadcasting the high definition multiplex in advance of the existing region-by-region reconfiguration timetable. If approved, the BBC would be able to launch new multiplex B services in large metro areas in late 2009 and early 2010.

Subject to approval, Ofcom said today it is minded to allow the BBC to use channel 31 (550-558 MHz) in London for a case study in advance of a launch in other cities. Crystal Palace would be the preferred transmitter site.

"Our analysis suggests that accepting the BBC’s request is likely to further facilitate the implementation of Ofcom and the Government’s policy to reorganise services on DTT and upgrade Multiplex B to use the more efficient DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 standards," the regulator said. "Further, that the use of this temporary frequency in the London region is likely to result in an earlier and larger market for the new services and related equipment. Such assignment is therefore expected to increase competition between receiver manufacturers resulting in more choice and lower prices for viewers. We also believe that the opportunity cost of assigning this frequency for the limited period proposed is relatively low and the benefits potentially high."

Channel 31 was previously used in London for a digital terrestrial HD trial in 2006. At that time, the test multiplex was transmitted at 5kW - by comparison, multiplex A transmits at 20kW. According to National Grid Wireless, it may be possible for the HD multiplex to transmit at a higher power level this time around, although concerns persist over co-channel interference to broadcasts from the Sandy Heath transmitter in Bedfordshire.

Ofcom's consultation, which will consider general comments and in particular those regarding the technical feasibility of the use of channel 31 in London, closes on November 19 and the regulator expects to issue its decision in December or early 2009.