Arqiva proposes three-multiplex DTT network extension to 2045
Arqiva has proposed a plan to maintain Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in the UK until at least 2045, utilizing a slimmed-down Freeview network with three DVB-T2 multiplexes. This contrasts with a group of major broadcasters advocating for a transition to IPTV delivery in the mid-2030s. The differing strategies highlight an ongoing debate about the long-term role of DTT versus internet-based distribution in public service television.
Key Takeaways
- Arqiva proposes consolidating the national DTT network into three DVB-T2 multiplexes after current licenses expire in 2034.
- The plan would reduce operational costs and energy consumption for the network by more than 40%.
- Current coverage levels of 98.5% of UK households would be maintained, supporting roughly 13.6 million dependent homes.
- The Future TV Taskforce, including the BBC and ITV, is conversely advocating for a full IPTV transition in the mid-2030s.
- Arqiva estimates that maintaining DTT for the BBC would cost just 2% of annual license fee income, or approximately £80 million.
Why It Matters
Arqiva's plan provides a concrete technical and financial roadmap for terrestial video that complicates the public service broadcasters' push for an all-IP future. By offering a 40% reduction in transmission overhead, the proposal weakens the argument that DTT is too expensive to maintain alongside streaming. This creates a standoff between infrastructure providers and content owners ahead of the 2027 BBC Royal Charter Review. For the broader ecosystem, it signals that the 'analog-to-digital' style switchover for streaming may be delayed significantly beyond 2034. Watch for the UK government’s upcoming consultation paper on TV distribution to see if it adopts Arqiva’s gradual transition or the broadcasters' accelerated exit.
Additional Context
The debate over the 2034 deadline follows a critical shift in the international regulatory landscape. Per Ofcom and TechUK reporting from early 2024, the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) resulted in a secondary allocation for mobile services in the 470-694 MHz UHF band across Europe. While this keeps the spectrum available for DTT for now, it establishes a 'spectrum battlefield' where mobile operators may seek primary status during the next review cycle in 2031. Arqiva’s new proposal specifically notes that moving to a three-multiplex configuration would free up the 600 MHz band for potential mobile use, offering a compromise between broadcasting and 5G/6G expansion.
Simultaneously, the adoption of IP-based alternatives is accelerating but remains far from universal. Per Informitv in June 2026, the Freely platform—the broadband-based successor to Freeview backed by EveryOne TV—is projected to reach 10.5 million households by 2034. However, despite reaching a milestone of 1 million weekly users during the 2025 festive period, Freely currently accounts for just 3.65% of UK TV homes. Industry analysis from 3 Reasons suggests that while internet-only homes will drop to 220,000 by 2034, roughly 3.6 million households currently rely exclusively on terrestrial signals without any internet access.
Political pressure is also mounting to protect traditional delivery. Per The Express in May 2026, the Countryside Alliance launched a petition to save over-the-air broadcasts, citing unreliable rural broadband as a barrier to an IPTV-only transition. This aligns with Arqiva's evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee, which highlights that 93% of rural Scottish premises have access to basic 10 Mbps speeds, but only 87% can access the 30 Mbps required for a high-quality, multi-user IPTV experience. Any decision to dismantle DTT prematurely risks a 'digital divide' that could disenfranchise over 13 million current viewers.
Read full article at broadbandtvnews.com
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