Digital terrestrial TV tests begin

Logica has begun conducting tests on the digital terrestrial signal to see if the problems of poor reach and coverage encountered by ITV Digital can be remedied prior to a re-tendering of the failed company's broadcast licence.

The ITC has extended the application period for the licence, which was returned by parent companies Carlton and Granada after the venture closed down last month, to allow testing to be carried out.

A consortium of interested parties - reported by the Guardian to contain the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 - are holding out on bidding for the licence until the testing has been conducted. They want to see whether a reduction in the number of channels supported by the platform improves the signal quality.

Logica is conducting the tests at the Crystal Palace mast. The ITC has extended the licence application period from closing this Thursday to 13 June. The lucky 'winner' will be announced on 4 July.