 | Press ReleasesBBC announces extension to DAB digital radio network |
Jenny Abramsky, BBC Director of Audio & Music, has announced the build-out of the next phase of the BBC's DAB digital radio transmitter network. This confirms the location of the next nine transmitters, to be provided by Arqiva, which the BBC hopes will be on-air by the end of April. Two of the new DAB enabled transmitters are already radiating the BBC's services, having been commissioned into service over the last couple of weeks. These two – one located at Christchurch and the other at Sergeant's Law – extend the coverage of the DAB network around Newport, Gwent and South West Glasgow and Dumbarton respectively. The other seven transmitters are planned to enter service gradually over the next few months as the final project work is completed. These will serve the following areas: - Bury St Edmunds (Puttocks Hill)
- Norwich and parts of East Norfolk (Stoke Holy Cross)
- Arundel and the South Downs (Burton Down)
- Alnwick and East Northumberland (Chatton)
- Newhaven (Newhaven)
- Mansfield (Fishponds Hill)
- York and the East Riding of Yorkshire (Acklam Wold)
In addition, Jenny Abramsky confirmed that the BBC was hoping to bring its DAB service to the Isle of Man and was working towards establishing a transmitter covering Douglas and the southern part of the island. It is planned that this transmitter should come on stream over the summer, subject to planning approval and engineering constraints. Digital radio listeners will be able to tune in to the BBC's portfolio of digital-only stations: 1Xtra; Five Live Sports Extra; 6 Music; BBC 7; and the BBC Asian Network; as well as the BBC's national radio stations: Radio 1; Radio 2; Radio 3; Radio 4; Radio Five Live; and the BBC World Service – and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting and the additional choice it offers. Listeners will need a DAB digital radio to receive the BBC's digital radio broadcasts. Existing digital radio listeners in each area should carry out an "autotune" to scan and store the newly available BBC services in their radio set's station list. For advice on receiving BBC digital radio and to check coverage, listeners can call the BBC Digital Helpline on 08700 10 10 10 or visit bbc.co.uk/digitalradio. All ten transmitters are being built and will be operated for the BBC by Arqiva. They represent the first of the new transmitters to be ordered under the £1.8billion transmission agreement put in place between the two companies in September 2006. Jenny Abramsky said: "I'm delighted to be able to announce these new transmitters. They represent a real and worthwhile improvement to the coverage of our DAB digital radio network. It shows the BBC's continuing commitment to making our services available on DAB digital radio." Paul Eaton, Head of Broadcast Radio at Arqiva, said: "For many years we've built and operated transmitters for independent radio stations but these are the first we've provided for the BBC. "It's the start of a new digital era which will see us roll-out a completely new digital TV network for the BBC and, if approved, a substantial increase to their DAB network.* "We look forward to working closely with the BBC throughout and beyond Digital Switch Over." Notes to Editors *Any expansion to the BBC's DAB network beyond the transmitters mentioned in this release is subject to the further approval from the BBC Trust. JA | 
Printable version
