Digital One Switches On Latest Transmitter In West Wiltshire

Digital One, operators of the UK’s national digital radio network, and NTL have switched on a new transmitter, bringing coverage to 76% of the UK population, a potential audience of 42.18m. The Naish Hill transmitter is located in West Wiltshire and allows another 408,000 people to receive the seven digital-only radio and three digital versions of national stations, if they choose to invest in digital radio equipment or can receive it via their digital TV.

The switching on of the Naish Hill transmitter continues a commitment made by Digital One to roll out transmitters across the country, with the aim of achieving 85% coverage by the end of 2002. Digital One announced earlier this year that twenty new transmitters are to be added to its network by mid-2001 (see Digital One Set For 80% UK Coverage By July 2001).

As yet, no official listening figures have been compiled for digital radio, so its popularity is hard to gauge. It is thought that the cost of equipment continues to be a prohibitive factor. At the moment the lowest price for equipment, whether an in car or in home tuner or an aerial that converts a PC into a receiver, is around £300- a significant amount more to pay for quality reception when the analogue version is so cheap.

Quentin Howard, chief executive of Digital One, explained what he saw as the benefits of switching to digital radio: “It means greater choice and diversity of radio listening with interference free, near CD quality sound. Digital One has more national stations and greater coverage than anyone else, even the BBC. We’re committed to bringing this new listening experience to as much of the UK population as possible.”

Digital One: 020 7518 2620

Subscribers can access further information on Digital One and other radio groups by selecting “Radio” from the drop-down box at the top of this page.