The BBC has begun DVB-T2 test transmissions in preparation for high definition services on digital terrestrial TV platform Freeview.

This is the first time signals compliant with the DVB-T2 specification - recommended by regulator Ofcom as a way of providing HD on Freeview without the need for additional spectrum - have been broadcast.

The DVB-T2 standard is said to provide significantly more capacity, which will be essential for HDTV services to be used on Freeview.

The transmission facilities - transmissions are being broadcast from the Guildford transmitter in Surrey - are provided by National Grid Wireless and Arqiva.

BBC Research and Innovation has been developing a modem compliant with the new specification.

The leader of the DVB-T2 modem development team at the BBC, Justin Mitchell, said: "We are delighted that our team, in collaboration with our partners, has been able to deliver such a key piece of technology in such a short timescale.

"This is a big step forward in enabling the introduction of full HD terrestrial on Freeview by the end of 2009."

Demonstrations of DVB-T2 technology will be given at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam in September.