SMITH AND BYERS SIGNAL BOOST FOR DIGITAL TV

CULTURE Secretary Chris Smith and Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers have announced that they will help more viewers have the chance to join the digital TV revolution.
They have written to broadcasters, seeking their commitment to the plans to double the power of digital signals on eight key transmitters. Developed by the Independent Television Commission (ITC), these plans will allow many more viewers to receive high quality digital terrestrial television.
Chris Smith said: "Digital broadcasting is the future of television and I want more and more homes to have the chance to enjoy what it has to offer. I do not want to see the progress of digital television hampered by a problem of poor coverage if it can be addressed. I want to see digital television continue to forge ahead and good coverage and reception are a vital part of this."
Stephen Byers said: "Digital television combined with a phone line can give everyone access to the Internet from their living rooms. This plan to boost the reception of digital terrestrial television is a key step in avoiding a digital divide."
The plans will improve the signal quality across much of the country, giving households better reception of free-to-air digital channels such as, BBC Choice, BBC News 24, BBC Knowledge and ITV2, and subscription services through Ondigital. It will also improve digital reception of the existing core public service channels (BBC1 and 2; ITV and Channels 4&5).
The proposed power increase can be implemented at most of the sites within the framework of existing international agreements. The necessary modifications to enable the power increase to be implemented at the remaining sites are being sought. (CD)