News Release

SWITCHDIGITAL LONDON ENHANCES COVERAGE

Switchdigital London, owner of the London II DAB multiplex, has today (4 February) announced a proposal to enhance the coverage of its Greater London multiplex to enable its services to be heard by half a million more Londoners.

Switchdigital London has reached agreement with Ofcom to increase power at five transmitters (Arkley, Alexandra Palace, Crystal Palace, Guildford and Otford).  The increase in power, which is scheduled to be completed by 16 February, will enhance the multiplex’s existing coverage and will mean 525,000 more adults within Greater London will be able to receive the services delivered by the multiplex.  This equates to an 8% increase in coverage within London homes – a significant improvement.

The move comes after the publication of a report from the Digital Radio Working Group to the Government in December 2008 and of Lord Carter’s ‘Digital Britain’ report in January 2009.  Both reports highlighted the importance on improving and expanding coverage to ensure that DAB coverage is comparable to FM coverage.  This will enable radio listeners to hear existing services on DAB, as well as a wide range of digital only services that broaden choice and cater for a wider range of tastes and interests.

Piers Collins at Switchdigital London, commented: “The Government has highlighted that DAB is the digital radio platform of choice, and that multiplex operators need to work with service providers to enhance coverage.  The enhanced coverage that we will be delivering on Switchdigital is a significant step forward.”