Analogue Switch-off
On 29 January 2009 the UK Government's interim report into digital communication for the future by Lord Carter, Digital Britain, made the suggestion that DAB would be the future direction of digital radio in the United Kingdom. The report stated that only when the following conditions are met, a migration from FM to DAB would begin:
- Digital radio listening figures hit at least 50%;
- Coverage of DAB matches that of FM, of 90% which the report stated would not be achieved until 2015. The report mentioned that the Government would work with the BBC to meet the coverage target.
The original Interim Report of the Digital Radio Working Group published in 2008 specified that the 50% threshold for listening figures should be based on those for DAB. This was subsequently watered down to incorporate listening via any digital platform so as to make it easier to meet the criteria. The main driver behind the proposed move to switch off the FM transmission system is still down to the intense lobbying of the commercial radio sector so that they can save costs.
Carter also suggested in his report that manufacturers of devices which can pick up radio signals ensure it is DAB ready for the forthcoming migration. The report also indicates plans to create a Digital Radio Delivery Group (DRDG), made up of the major investors of DAB, whose plan it will be to ensure a smooth transition from AM and FM to DAB for consumers. They will also advise on digital radio migration. On 22 September 2009 the DRDG and Digital Radio Development Bureau were integrated into one organisation for this purpose - Digital Radio UK.
On 16 June 2009 the final Digital Britain report concluded that a switchover of all national and local FM services which currently broadcast on DAB multiplexes would take place in 2015 and that DAB would be chosen to take the UK to and beyond switchover. The Digital Economy Act 2010 has a requirement stating that the United Kingdom must prepare for digital switchover. To aid the transition to digital radio, Digital Radio UK started a Radio Amnesty during May and June 2010 where people could trade in an old AM/FM analogue radio for a 10-20% discount on a new DAB digital radio from participating retailers. Analogue sets which can be reconditioned will be sent to southern Africa.
On 30 November 2010 it was reported that ministers were considering delaying the switchover to DAB until 2017 at the earliest., however Ofcom did publish official plans for increasing DAB reception in various places around the same date.
On 2 July 2012, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport created a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BBC and commercial radio broadcasters and ensemble operators as to where the future direction of digital radio should go with a three phase plan toward FM switchoff. A decision on the switchover will be made by the Government in 2013. The MoU creates three phases toward switchover:
| Phase | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Prior to the 2013 decision | Five ensembles to be launched by the beginning of 2014: Gloucestershire; Hereford and Worcester; Northamptonshire; North East Wales and West Cheshire; and Oxfordshire. |
| Phase 2 | Post 2013 decision up to 90% UK coverage | Increase DAB coverage to 90% UK coverage, subject to agreements on switchover and funding. |
| Phase 3 | Above 90% UK coverage | Date nominated for switchover, coverage to rise until DAB coverage matches that of FM coverage. |
Three scenarios drawn up by the DCMS suggest switchover could begin between 2015 and 2019 either in one step or staged across the regions of the United Kingdom.
Read more about this topic: Digital Radio In The United Kingdom
Famous quotes containing the word analogue:
“Human language appears to be a unique phenomenon, without significant analogue in the animal world.”
—Noam Chomsky (b. 1928)