Digital radio coverage expands

Ariel: 3 October 2005

The BBC is expanding its digital radio network across England and Wales with nine new transmitters coming on stream within the next 12 months.

The latest phase in the plan to roll out digital radio will bring around 1.2 million people into national DAB (digital audio broadcast) coverage in Wales, Cornwall, Cumbria, Norfolk, Kent and Humberside.

Simon Nelson, controller of radio and music interactive, said: ‘The BBC has been committed to DAB digital radio since its launch and we are delighted to announce our plans to expand coverage further'.

Exact timings remain subject to local authority planning applications and weather conditions.

In addition to the regular national radio networks, digital radio listeners can tune in to the BBC's digital-only stations like 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC 7 and the Asian Network.