Local digital radio multiplex licence for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire advertised

Ofcom, UK communications regulator, advertises new local digital radio multiplex licence for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including the Unitary Authorities of Luton and Milton Keynes.

It is estimated that this multiplex could reach an adult population of 1,829,000. The closing date for the receipt of applications is Tuesday 13 March 2007.

Yet more Digital One transmitters turned on

Two new transmitters have been added to the Digital One, the UK's national commercial digital radio network. The Coventry transmitter improves coverage to the city and the surrounding area.

A transmitter at Sewards End brings coverage to Saffron Walden and the surrounding parts of East Anglia with a gross population of 258,000.

Ofcom updates DAB technical policy guidance

Ofcom has updated its Digital Technical Code and issued new technical policy guidance for DAB multiplex licensees. The documents can be found one the Ofcom web site.

Separately, Ofcom has also today published the Formats for all DAB stations in the UK that are also available online.

Ofcom advertises new national radio multiplex licence

OFCOM, the regulator responsible fro licensing UK broadcasts has advertises new DAB national radio multiplex licence. Applications for the 12 year licence must be submitted by 28th March 2007. More information is available on the Ofcom web site.

Virgin Radio transmitter map goes live

Virgin Radio, the UK national commercial rock station, has launched an interactive map showing it's analogue and DAB transmitters, along with up to date maintenance information. The map can be viewed on the Virgin Radio web site.

More Digital One transmitters turned on

Digital one have turned on new DAB transmitters in Colchester, Mansfield, Bradford and Loughborough, making a total of 110 across the UK.

Pure Oasis weatherproof digital radio product recall

Pure are recalling all Oasis weatherproof digital radios because of a failure in the rechargeable batteries contained within the sealed unit.

Owners are advised to immediately switch off the unit, unplug it from the mains and open all four of the rubber stoppers on the right side of the radio.

Free collection and repair of the radio can be obtained by calling Pure on 0800 019 5657 or emailing oasis@pure.com. More information is available on the Pure web site.

Australia trials DAB EPG service

Australian radio broadcasters in Sydney are trying an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) service for digital radio. The trial is being undertaken with the EPG services of Unique Interactive.

Australia will roll-out a digital radio services across Australia in January 2009.

New UK multiplex licences to be advertised

Ofcom, the UK communication regulator, has published its planned timetable for the advertisement of new DAB radio multiplex licences.

The first advertisement, scheduled for publication in November, is for a national DAB radio multiplex licence. Starting in December local multiplexes will be advertised on a monthly basis throughout 2007.

The fill timetable can be found on the Ofcom web site.

Highways Agency Radio to trial on DAB in Bristol, UK

The Highways Agency are running a trial DAB radio service for six weeks and asking for feedback from the public.

The service supplies up to date travel news on DAB in the Bristol area including on the M4, M5, M48 and M49, with coverage extending as far as Bath.

You can tune into the service between October 16 and November 26 by setting your DAB radio to "HA Trial".

DAB will be in half of all UK households by 2010

According to figures released by the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB), we will see a DAB digital receiver in over 50% household penetration by 2010.

The DRDB says sales in 2006 will be around the two million mark, with a set in 13.9% households by the end of the year. This is expected to rise to more than 40% by 2009, and top 50% in 2010.

Digital One turn on three more transmitters

Digital One has turned on three transmitters at Houghton-on-the-Hill near Leicester, Basingstoke and Nottingham.

The transmitter at Mapperly Ridge (Nottingham) enhances coverage in the area northeast of Nottingham. Basingstoke brings new or improved coverage to the surrounding area. The Houghton-on-the-Hill transmitter brings new or improved coverage to the area southwest of Leicester.

New DAB transmitter for Bristol

Digital One has turned on its 103rd transmitter at Dundry East, near Bristol. This transmitter brings the national network to new listeners and improves reception for others.

A further 11 transmitters are planned to be switched on in the next year in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Monmouthshire, Hampshire and Essex.

Ofcom approves variation to Digital One's multiplex licence

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has approved the addition of a ‘Classic and Contemporary Jazz’ service to the national digital radio multiplex licence held by Digital One.

The new jazz service, provided by GCap, is a jazz-led service playing a selection of jazz, soul, blues and R ‘n’ B, from both heritage and contemporary artists.

The service replaces PrimeTime Radio.

The Pure Chronos DAB/CD

Pure have unveiled the new Chronos CD, a stereo DAB/CD clock radio.

The unit sports four independent alarms that can be set for weekdays, weekends, daily or as a one off. Each alarm can turn on the DAB receiver, the FM receiver, the CD sound a simple alarm. If you have trouble starting in the morning you will be pleased to know it also has a snooze button.

The device can play normal, MP3 and WMA CDs and is Compatible with rewritable disks. You can also connect an external music player such as an iPod to play directly through the stereo speakers.

The Chronos CD will be available from September 2006 for £99.99.

Dixons to discontinue stocking analogue radios

Dixons, now considered to be the online brand for Currys, is discontinuing the sale of analogue radios. The decision follows the growth in digital radios sales. Digital radios are now outselling analogue radios by 30:1 on the Dixons web site.

LBC is replacing DNN on regional multiplexes

The Digital News Network (DNN) has ceased broadcasting today on the North East, North West, South Wales & West, West Midlands and Yorkshire multiplexes.

From September the London speech station LBC will be carried in it's place with regional news bulletins on the hour.

New DAB transmitters for North Wales

DigitalOne, the UK's nation commercial DAB multiplex has switched on two new transmitters in North Wales.

The transmitter at Arfon provides new or improved coverage to more than 120,000 listeners along the Lleyn Peninsular, from Pwllheli to Caernarfon.

The Llanddona transmitter extends reception into Anglesey and covers most of the Southern half of the isle. This site is shared with the BBC and also carries the national BBC services.

Harrow Weald off air

The North West London transmitter in Harrow Weald has been off air since 9am due to a technical fault affecting national and local services in the locality.

Yorkshire Radio launched on DAB

Yorkshire Radio has started broadcasting on DAB across Yorkshire and on-line at www.yorkshireradio.net.

The service is based in Leeds and is serving England’s biggest county with a music service playing tracks from the 1960 to modern day.

The service has full coverage of Leeds United including mach commentary and other regular programming.

PURE PocketDAB 1500

PURE Digital have added the PURE PocketDAB 1500 there range of DAB digital radios. This handheld unit is both a portable DAB and FM receiver.

The unit ways in at just 123 grams and is supplied with Sennheiser MX300 in-ear headphones as standard. The PocketDAB is powered by an internal lithium battery, recharges from the mains and gives up to 24 hours of listening in between charges.

The unit is available from major high-street retailers and independent hi-fi dealers for £89.99.

PURE Digital release the new "Bug Too"

PURE Digital have released the followup to "the Bug" with another alien looking DAB digital radio called the "Bug Too".

The Bug is not only a DAB digital radio radio but also an MP3 player, digital radio recorder (to SD card) and includes "Tivo" live pause & rewind features for radio.

The Bug Too includes a fully functional electronic programme guide (EPG) and improved MP3/recording management that lets users wake up to their favourite recording.

The Bug shape has not changed but but the colour has to a new titanium silver finish, and the control layout has been improved.

The Bud Too costs £99.99 with a 2 year warranty and is available from high street stores. More information is available from the Pure Digital web site.

talkSPORT on DAB in Northern Ireland

talkSPORT has announced it is now transmitting on DAB to Northern Ireland. The service has been available no Freeview, digital satellite and digital cable platforms.

RTÉ seek a licence to begin DAB radio service

RTÉ announced it is seeking a licence to start a DAB service along the east coast of Ireland later this year. This follows a 6-month trial of DAB from Dublin to Louth.

Intempo PP-01

Intempo are bringing some fashion to the portable DAB receiver market the the Intempo PP-01.

The receiver is a portable DAB/FM radio with flat front panel NXT stereo speakers. Two detachable protective screens are supplied, and you can also personalise the radio with a protective screen made from you favourite photo for £14.99.

Battery life is not bad with 20 hours use from the integrated rechargeable battery pack.

The Intempo PP-01 costs £99 and is available from many high-street retailers. More information is available from The Intempo website.

Alice Cooper to present breakfast on Planet Rock

Alice Cooper has been signed up by UK digital station Planet Rock.

The legendry heavy rock singer will present the weekday breakfast show between 6 and 9am from July. The show will be produced in from his home town of Phoenix, Arizona, specially for Planet Rock.

Cooper joins other Planet Rock signings including Rick Wakeman and guitarist Tony Iommi.

talkSPORT available on DAB in Germany

Yes, the English speaking station talkSPORT is broadcasting in Berlin and Munich throughout the World Cup, and selected other locations for key games. English football fans can listen to an English radio station for up-to-the-minute World Cup reports and analysis on DAB digital radios.

The Pure Evoke-1XT Prestige Edition

Pure Digital is launching an exclusive luxury edition of it's DAB radio.

The new range is different form the rest of the range because if it's new hand crafted wood finish and the unit now sports an FM tuner with RDS. The mains powered unit features six station presets, a headphone socket and a stereo line-out.

The Evoke-1XT Prestige is available in Bird's Eye Maple, Burnt Redwood and Piano Black finishes and are exclusively available from independent dealers and selected department stores.

PrimeTime Radio Leaves Digital One

PrimeTime Radio will no longer be available nationally on DAB digital radio after the station's owner, Roger de Haan, chose not to renew the contract with Digital One.

The station will continue to broadcast on satellite (Sky channel 0132), NTL cable (channel 872), and on the Internet at www.primetimeradio.org. The station will still be available on DAB digital radio in London.

No service is currently lined up to replace PrimeTime's slot on the national network.

Digital listening on the up

Although sales of digital radio sets have now passed 3 million (blog entry) in the UK it was no guarantee that more people were using them, until now. According to the latest Rajar listening figures for the first quarter of 2006 Planet Rock and The Hits have reached record audiences and most the BBC digital stations have also recorded an increase in listeners.

Planet Rock recorded 461,000 listeners (up 61.2%) and The Hits reached 970,000.

BBC 5 Live Sports Extra peaked at 613,000 listeners (up 48%) benefiting from several international sporting events. BBC 6 Music and BBC7 recorded audiences of 359,000 (up 15.4%) and 621,000 (up 11.7%) respectively.

Planet Rock - Digital Terrestrial Station of the Year

National digital radio starting Planet Rock has taken the award for Digital Terrestrial Station of the Year at the 1006 Sony awards. The GCap station, launched in November 1999 triumphed over other nominees BBC 1Xtra and Capital Disney.

The award was accepted by Executive Producer, Trevor White who expressed his thanks to the whole team.

Planet Rock is available on the Digital One UK national multiplex.

Three million DAB digital radios sold in UK

According to the The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) more than three million DAB digital radio sets have been sold in the UK. The figures have been supplied by the industry tracking body GfK ans show 3.053 million cumulative sales reported at the end of March 2006 and the 14% of all radios sold are DAB receivers.

The DRDB have also highlighted that the Rajar listening survey (Q4/05) shows more than 11% of the population now lives in a DAB household and DAB listeners consume 16% more radio than the average radio listener.

China plans DAB, DMB and DAB-IP services

Commercial mobile television and radio services using DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) and DAB-IP technology are being planned in China. Both systems are based on DAB.

China is a key market for the DAB, DMB and DAB-IP family of standards. With the largest population in the world and a growing economy the adoption of DAB in China will have a significant effect on the worldwide development of DAB.

Trials are currently underway in several parts of the country, and three licences have been issued covering Guangdong Province, Beijing and Shanghai. Commercial DMB services from several companies will launch during the first half of 2006 in Guangdong and Beijing.

Jamie Theakston now on the Heart digital network

The one year old Jamie Theakston breakfast show will be broadcast nationally on DAB from 18th April 2006. The “re-packaged” show containing local news and travel bulletins will be broadcast to Central Scotland, North East, North West & Yorkshire, and South Wales & the West.

The national version of the show will be broadcast from 7am and 10am while the London 106.2 FM Jamie Theakston Breakfast Show will continue to be broadcast in London between 6am and 9am.

100th Digital One transmitter in Preseli

The world's largest commercial DAB digital radio network has expanded it's network further by turning on its 100th transmitter at Preseli, southwest Wales.

Preseli is part of several transmitters in Wales and also in East Anglia being turned on over the next 12 months.

New Zealand trials DAB Digital Radio

New Zealand’s leading broadcast network provider, Broadcast Communications Ltd, will be driving a 12 month DAB trial. The transmission will commence in September and cover a large part of the Auckland area.

The trial is to help New Zealand’s regulatory body to develop a spectrum plan and a policy for roll out of both commercial and public broadcasting services.

Public broadcaster Radio New Zealand, and commercial broadcasters RadioWorks and Local Media Group will take part in the trial.

New Digital One transmitter in Cumbria

Digital One, has switched on it's 99th transmitter in Penrith.

This will give a further 79,000 people access to the national commercial radio multiplex in Cumbria and follows the launched of the Kendal transmitter in December 2005.

Now over 85% of the UK population can receive the Digital One multiplex.

The Mini DAB One, a new hand held DAB/FM receiver

The Mini DAB One is a new hand held DAB/FM receiver and MP3 player from the new kid on the block Oono. The case is only 10cm tall and weighs in at less than 100g.

The device is powered by an internal battery and charged through a USB port. Battery life varies on what you use the device for only giving 8 hours of DAB listening but a whopping 28 hours of MP3 playback.

128MB is built for MP3 playback, but this can be expanded with an additional MMC or SD card. The device also has a built in microphone and voice recorder as well as a small internal speaker.

More information can be fount on the Oone web site.

The Pure One, a portable DAB/FM radio for £50

Pure digital have just released the Pure "One", a portable DAB and FM radio for only £49.99.

The unit looks like modern radio and comes in Black, White and Pink. It has an LCD display that shows the usual useful information. Sadly there is no EPG facility and to listen in stereo you will need headphones or plug it on to a hi-fi system.

Battery life is improving with this unit running for 20 hours using the optional rechargeable battery pack (£29.99), or 35 hours on standard C type batteries.

More information on the product can be found on the Pure Digital web site.