BBC Confirms Digital Radio Launch

The BBC has confirmed that it will launch a digital radio service next September. The BBC says it is the first broadcaster in the world to make a firm commitment to launching a DAB radio service.

Advantages of broadcasting a digital signal over a conventional one are that a good reception is achieved without moving aerials; car radios would be also be free of interference.

Initially the BBC will broadcast its five networks in both digital and audio, until enough of the population have the digital receivers needed; this is likely to be several years away. The extra capacity on the digital transmitter will be filled with extra parliamentary and sports coverage.