Complaint
Complaints that BBC digital services on Freeview are not available in every area.
The BBC's response
We are of course sorry if you cannot yet receive our services via Freeview. Unfortunately, the digital signals which carry the BBC's services on Freeview cannot yet cover the whole of the UK.
This is because there is not enough room on the airwaves to extend digital signals without causing interference to existing analogue transmissions. This cannot change until the existing analogue signals are switched off.
The problem applies most in hilly areas where extra relay stations and frequencies are needed, or some coastlines with a greater risk of overlap with broadcasts from other countries.
Wherever possible our digital TV and radio services are available on all the principal digital TV transmission systems so that people can choose the system they prefer. The three systems are digital terrestrial (Freeview), digital satellite (with or without subscription) and digital cable.
If your area is not covered by Freeview, please see the Related links on this page for other ways to receive our digital TV and radio services. Most areas now have the option of digital satellite without subscription as well as with subscription. Digital cable is also available in many areas.
There are plans to switch off all analogue TV transmissions and extend TV broadcasts of the main terrestrial channels on digital frequencies to cover the whole country. This is planned to take place between 2008 and 2012 and the detailed timetable has been confirmed by the Government - please see the Related links on this page for more information.
In the meantime the BBC must be ready for the switchover since digital transmission will eventually affect every household. We are committed to take a leading role in building a digital terrestrial network to cover the whole of the UK.
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