6 July 2006
A UK delegation has reached an agreement with international neighbours that secures near-universal availability of digital terrestrial television - known as Freeview - by 2012.
Led by regulator Ofcom, the delegation met with international partners in Geneva to broker the deal, which marks another step forward for the switchover to digital television.
As a result of the deal, the UK has secured all the necessary transmitter sites to broadcast digital terrestrial channels to 98.5% of the UK, which is the same proportion that can currently receive an analogue signal.
Other digital stations may be unavailable in more widespread areas, however, as they will have around 90% coverage.
"This accelerates the move to all-digital broadcasting," said Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter.
He added: "After months of detailed negotiations involving more than 100 countries, this successful outcome is testament to the hard work and dedication of the UK delegation."
Such international agreements have to be reached as broadcast signals from the UK can interfere with those in neighboring countries.
The digital switchover is due to start in 2008 in some parts of the UK, with completion scheduled for 2012.
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