UK to get new £500m DTT network

ITV-owned multiplex operator SDN has awarded Arqiva a £500m contract to design, build and run a new high-powered digital terrestrial TV (DTT) network in preparation for digital switchover.

The replacement network will have increased transmission power levels so that it will be available to over 90% of the UK population by the end of switchover.

Simon Pitts, managing director of SDN, said: "This is a major milestone for SDN, which gives the business valuable long-term certainty over its cost base.

"Arqiva are a valued partner and we look forward to working with them to deliver an enhanced service to our channel customers and play a full part in delivering digital switchover by 2012."

Arquiva and NGW
Arqiva, owned by Macquarie Bank, bought transmission company and Freeview multiplex operator National Grid Wireless (NGW) for £2.5bn in April.

The company is already well advanced in its preparations for the Border region, which is first to switch over to all-digital transmission. Whitehaven, the first area to switch is due to complete as early as October this year.

BBC supplier
The contract, which will run for 27-years, until 2034, follows the appointment of Arqiva as digital transmission supplier to the two BBC multiplexes and as preferred supplier to Digital 3 and 4 Ltd.

In 2005, ITV bought SDN for £134m. SDN currently facilitates 10 full videostreams, half of which are reserved for use by Five which broadcasts its three channels and sub-licenses the remainder of the capacity to Top Up TV.

Other channels?
The other channels carried by SDN are ABC1, QVC, Price Drop TV, Bid TV, Turner, BBC Radio 1-4, EMAP radio (Heat & Mojo) and Teletext Holidays.

In total there are six multiplexes, owned by four groups: Arqiva-owned National Grid Wireless owns Muliplex C and D, the BBC owns Multiplex B amd 1, SDN owns multiplex A and digital 3 and 4 owns multiplex 2.

Source: Broadcast Now