The BBC has won the three vacant Digital terrestrial television licences left after the collapse of broadcaster ITV Digital.

The Independent Television Commission has announced that the Corporation's bid with satellite broadcaster BSkyB and transmitter company Crown Castle has beaten a link-up of ITV and Channel 4 to win the licences.

Regulators had to choose from six bids after ITV Digital went into administration earlier this year.

The director general of the BBC, Greg Dyke, hailed the decision as a "fresh start" for the medium.

Under the 12-year deal , up to 27 digital free-to-air channels which will be available via an existing aerial for a one-off payment of £100 for the set-top box.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Dyke said: "This is a fresh start for digital television in the UK and the best outcome for viewers.

"It won't be an easy task - the platform has been through a major crisis - but we believe that a simple, entirely free-to-view digital option has the best chance of success with consumers."

The award is key to driving the uptake of digital broadcasting to meet the Government's target of switching over completely from traditional analogue signals before 2010.

A study commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport this week showed that more than 40% of households now have digital, although figures were compiled before ITV Digital's demise.

The BBC has forecast that its proposal will attract another five million homes in five to six years.

As well as satellite and terrestrial digital services, around three million people receive signals via cable.

The Government's target is to switch off the traditional analogue signal between 2006 and 2010 but it will not do so until 95% of homes have access to digital.