Study finds planned local TV coverage 'should be possible'

A feasibility study into local television coverage proposals has found that "it should be possible in practice to build transmission infrastructure that provides coverage similar to that illustrated" in Ofcom's proposals.

The report was carried out by transmission company Arqiva following a commission by the broadcast regulator, in reference to proposals set out in its draft "note for applicants on the coverage of local television (coverage note)" for coverage potential across the 44 potential locations.

In a release Ofcom said the predictions for local TV coverage "are based upon certain technical assumptions", such as that there will be adequate space "on the existing transmission masts to accommodate transmitting antennas for the local TV services".

Arqiva's study, which looked at the feasibility of the proposals at each location found that "at almost all locations there is space on the masts near or at the heights assumed in the coverage note".

As a result this means that "it should be possible in practice" to build the infrastructure necessary to achieve the coverage set out by Ofcom.

The company has also compiled reference offers, which give costings for the provision of local television for each area.

Although Ofcom says it "has not verified the contents of the offers and is not providing an endorsement of the information contained in them", the regulator says this can offer bidders "a starting point".

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