Ofcom has outlined proposals to give every household free high-definition television content (HDTV) by 2012.

The telecommunications regulator has agreed to provide spectrum on the free-to-air digital TV platform which is used to stream freeview television.

The launch of HD broadcasts on Freeview has been problematic due to the limited capacity currently available for DTT services.

There is only one terrestrial HD channel in the UK and this is BBC HD which is broadcast from a transmitter - the only one of its kind in the country - at Crystal Palace. A separate set-top box is also needed to watch this.

Under its new proposals Ofcom has said that viewers will be able access an estimated five channels through their television aerials in 2012 to coincide with the Olympics, and the end of the digital switchover.

However, there are hopes to have some of these running in the Granada-covered part of the country when it partakes in the digital switchover in 2009.

The plans have been made possible for a number of reasons. Firstly, the digital switchover has freed up 20 per cent more capacity on transmitters, and the introduction of a new European transmission standard, called DVB-T2, will also allow capacity to increase by at least 30 per cent.

Although the HD channels will not interfere with current freeview boxes, users will have to buy a new set-top box to watch them. Prices for this have not yet been specified.

Ed Richards, CEO of Ofcom, said: "Our proposals to upgrade Digital Terrestrial Television represent a major opportunity to build on its success with wider, richer and more varied television services, including the potential for HDTV to be made available to millions of people free to air. We look forward to hearing the views of viewers and from right across the industry."

Ofcom has opened up a consultation into these proposals, which will run until 30 January 2008. Anyone wishing to comment can do so via the website.