DTT high power trial announced

The BBC and Independent Television Commission (ITC) have announced a digital terrestrial television (DTT) trial that will enable both broadcasters and planners to determine the highest possible power at which DTT services can be transmitted, without having a negative impact on existing analogue services.

The trial, to start later this month, will run for ten weeks on the Larkstoke and Heathfield transmitters. The multiplexes affected differ for each transmitter; on the Larkstone tower, the SDN multiplex will be tested, while in Heathfield the tests will be conducted on ITV Digital's D multiplex.

The ITC explains the choice of location:

"These areas have been chosen as they provide a well defined coverage area for the digital services concerned and the ability to implement relatively easily a temporary increase in the DTT power for one of the digital multiplexes at each site."

The regulator says that all efforts are being undertaken to minimise disruption to both digital and analogue viewers. Viewers who do experience disruption are asked to contact their local TV dealer, aerial installer or television company, who will then report the problem to the trial office at the sites.