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Londoners could receive Freeview HD up to two years ahead of schedule if a proposal for a fast track scheme gets green-lighted, Ofcom has revealed. It could mean those opting to buy a Freeview HD box in the capital would be able to watch the World Cup in HD quality, for free.

In response to a request from the BBC, Ofcom has launched a consultation to look at reassigning some spectrum frequencies to cover certain densely populated areas sooner than originally planned.

Alongside London, Tyne Tees and Ulster were planned for a 2012 Freeview rollout, but the capital has been singled out for the fast track scheme because it is 'one of the metropolitan areas identified by the BBC and one of the most congested geographic areas'. Last week Ofcom announced that ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC were to launch Freeview HD channels in 2009.

The Ofcom consultation on the fast track proposal closes on November 19.

ofcom.co.uk