BBC Announces Digital Radio Plans

BBC Radio has made two announcements concerning its services on digital radio. The first confirms the next phase of the BBC's DAB digital radio transmitter network. Under plans announced today, the network will grow by a further ten transmitters with most of these in service by the end of April.

Listeners in Glasgow and Gwent, Northumberland and Nottinghamshire, and Suffolk and the South Downs will benefit from the increased coverage and extended choice of services in these areas that these transmitters will provide.

The BBC has also announced that it is to undertake a trial of the digital radio mondiale (DRM) technology, which will allow it to explore digital radio using medium-wave frequencies.

The trial will broadcast BBC Radio Devon using the new technology in the Plymouth area and will last for a year from the end of April.

Speaking about the two announcements, Richard Waghorn, BBC Controller of Distribution, said: "The announcements today show that the BBC is committed to DAB digital radio and is continuing to path-find with new technologies.

"The BBC has a long history of trialling new transmission techniques and it is in this spirit that we are now exploring whether DRM has a role to play in the future."