DAB in Ireland: RTE multiplex closed

Northern Correspondent wrote:

Q102 however was noticably poor with an a lot of artifacting.

Northern Correspondent wrote:

If it sounds like that on FM it sounds a lot worse on DAB.

Michael Grade, Chairman of the BBC, has announced that Northern Ireland is to get three new transmitters which will double DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) coverage in the north-west and west.

The new DAB enabled transmitters will be sited at Brougher in Tyrone, Limavady and Sheriff's Mountain in Londonderry.

The first two of these transmitters will come on stream in late spring with the third following in the summer.

Digital radio listeners will be able to tune in to the BBC's portfolio of new digital stations - 1Xtra, Five Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, BBC 7 and the Asian Network - as well as the BBC's existing national radio stations - Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio Five Live and the World Service - and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with its robust reception and clear sound quality.

These stations join BBC Radio Ulster which is already available on DAB digital radio.

Around 6 million people across the UK have been brought into BBC national digital radio coverage since work began in August 2003 and the BBC is planning to expand coverage to 90% of the population.

Addressing the Board of Governors and local community representatives at a dinner in BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast on Tuesday 22 February, Mr Grade said:

"It's our job as Governors to represent the public interest, to be the voice of the licence fee payers and to ensure that their concerns are fully taken into account when the BBC makes its decisions.

"I'm very happy tonight to be able to announce that the BBC is commissioning three new DAB-enabled transmitters in Northern Ireland at Brougher, Limavady and Sheriff's Mountain in Londonderry.

"These will effectively double the DAB coverage and bring benefit to large numbers of people in the north-west and west of Northern Ireland."

Paying tribute to the work of the Broadcasting Council of Northern Ireland he added:

"One of the key ways we keep in touch with our audiences here is through the work of the Northern Ireland Broadcasting Council.

"The BBC's broadcasting councils do really remarkable work. That work isn't always as well recognised as it should be. So I'd like to take the opportunity to pay tribute this evening.

"They identified this 'digital deficit' as a major policy issue. They pressed the BBC hard to speed up very significantly its roll-out of DAB in Northern Ireland. They made their case with vigour and persistence. And it worked."

He also outlined how BBC Northern Ireland is keeping pace with the changes in digital broadcasting:

"The BBC has now begun to experiment with ultra-local television. Taking a small geographical area and producing ten minutes an hour of truly relevant local news and information, available on digital television and broadband.

"And because it's digital, it's available on demand, around the clock, whenever viewers want it. The BBC hopes to start proper pilots soon - and if it works out, it's proposed to develop up to 60 such areas around the UK.

"By the end of the year Northern Ireland will be the first region of the UK to have near 100 per cent broadband coverage and BBC Northern Ireland will be piloting local TV on broadband in the Coleraine area."

Welcoming Mr Grade on his second visit to Northern Ireland in the last 12 months, the Controller of BBC Northern Ireland Anna Carragher said:

"These digital announcements are a signal of the BBC's commitment to audiences in Northern Ireland. We are committed to bringing exciting and unique services that fully reflect the lives and concerns of all of our viewers and listeners."

The monthly meeting of the BBC Governors is being held in Belfast today (Wednesday 23 February).

The 12 BBC Governors act as trustees of the public interest and monitor the performance of the BBC on behalf of licence fee payers.

The National Governor for Northern Ireland is Fabian Monds. He chairs the 12-strong Broadcasting Council in Northern Ireland.

The council holds regular public meetings to gather the views of audiences and the Board of Governors consults them on proposals affecting Northern Ireland and the objectives set for the BBC.

Notes to Editors

Listeners will need a DAB digital radio to receive the BBC's digital radio broadcasts.

Existing digital radio listeners in the new digital radio areas should carry out an autotune to scan and store the newly available BBC services in their radio set's station list.

For advice on receiving BBC digital radio and to check coverage, listeners can ring 08700 100123 or visit bbc.co.uk/digitalradio and refer to the coverage map (the coverage by postcode feature is not immediately updated).

Crown Castle International is responsible for the roll-out of the new digital radio transmitters.

The BBC has five digital-only radio networks, all launched in 2002:-

1Xtra - the best in new black music;

Five Live Sports Extra - the home of live sport with exclusive coverage of live events;

6 Music - the best of contemporary and classic rock and pop;

BBC 7 - the best of BBC comedy, drama and books from the archive;

the Asian Network - news and music from the British Asian scene.

Listeners can also receive Radios 1 to Five Live on DAB, along with more than 30 of the BBC's English local radio and national stations.

More than 1.5 million adults are listening to the BBC's new digital-only stations each week (Rajar).

There are now nearly 1.3 million DAB sets in the UK (GFK).

Digital radio offers very robust reception and does not suffer from the interference and fading that can happen with AM and FM radio.

Digital radio is a more efficient means of broadcasting. More networks can be transmitted, offering more choice for listeners.

Digital radio can transmit text and data with the audio signal. A small screen on digital radios carries rolling text telling listeners what music they're listening to, who's being interviewed and giving phone numbers and email and website addresses.

Digital radio can also be received via digital television (satellite, cable and Freeview) and the internet (more than 10 million hours of BBC radio is listened to online each month - live and on demand).

Digital radios are available from over 6,500 retail outlets across the UK (both large high street chains and small independent retailers) and can also be bought on the internet.

Hi-fi tuners and micro systems start at around £100. Hand-held products are priced from £80; and kitchen radios start at £50. CD/cassette radios start at £79; DAB clock radios start at £65.

DAB digital radio is a relatively new technology, so prices will continue to fall as the market matures.

• Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan: You can get DAB at street level! Best spot I found was on the Oldcastle Road (Liffey Meats).
• Oldcastle, Co. Meath: You can get it at Loughcrew, and as terrain is similar to Ballyjamesduff, who knows further down the hill.
• Between Virginia and Bailieborough (R178): Especially after the Killinkere/Cross junction, you can get this at ground level most of the way on this route.
• Moynalty: Specifically, the townland of Ballymakane.