Four regional DAB multiplexes to close in 2013 to allow for better local DAB
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV The government's radio switchover strategy incorporates a plan to match the DAB coverage of local radio stations (both BBC and commercial - see Ofcom - Annex B. Local DAB build-out plans) with that currently provided on FM (see Ofcom - Maps).
To do this, the regional multiplexes will be closed and their frequencies used to do a large-scale replanning, incorporating a new one called 5A.
MXR will close the following multiplexes:
- 29 July 2013: 12C/Severn Estuary DAB multiplex
- 29 July 2013: 12C/North East DAB multiplex
- 27 August 2013: 12A/West Midlands DAB multiplex
- 24 September 2013: 12C/North West DAB multiplex
When complete, the new plan looks like:
Diagram from Ofcom - An approach to DAB coverage planning.
Originally published on 26th September 2012 at 16:24
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Tuesday, 2 October 2012
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paul9:32 PM
Does anyone know what plans there are for L band DAB-S in the UK or Europe? I know that Qualcomm (The CDMA) guys) have bought a load of this spectrum but have not stated their intentions.
Nother think, why do the Government multiplexes have so much more output power than the commercial ones? surely this is unfair?
Any ideas?
P.S. We need Sirus XM over here!
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michael10:40 PM
France had L-band plans, both for terrestrial and for mobile reception, which would be an ideal implementation. Methinks we don't do sensible...
Commercial operators will spend as little as possible to obtain the maximum revenue. Low power to high- density populations is ideal for advertising revenue, shareholders and bonus payments.
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Wednesday, 3 October 2012
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Mark1:28 PM
@ Ian
I think you misunderstood my post.
The West Midlands regional mux is closing down which means there is a spare frequency (12C) which is available for use somewhere in the Midlands.
It makes sense to use 12C for the Leicestershire mux from Waltham (and other sites). The mux would still have all the current Leicester stations, but the frequency switch would enable an increase in coverage across the county.
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KMJ,Derby9:23 PM
Mark: It is already proposed to transmit the Leicester mux from the Waltham mast. With luck this will increase the coverage to closer match that of the FM signal from Copt Oak. One question does arise however, in the light of the closure of the West Midlands mux there is insufficient capacity on the Birmingham mux to fit in all the services currently transmitted on FM in the Birmingham area. Could Ofcom decide that a second local mux is required for Birmingham? Remember London has three!
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Friday, 30 November 2012
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Nedbod9:22 PM
I would say it is not an improvement in Local Radio quality on DAB, but National Radio. Someone at the BBC is still choosing whether the extra sports broadcasts on BBC 5 Live sports Extra means that he either he/she reduces BBC Radio 4 to 80kbps and plunges it from (((STEREO))) to mono or reduces the posh boys Radio 3 DAB from their elite 192 kbps to 160 kbps (the same as Classic FM : DAB, which seems like a misnomer). Luckily from my point of view for the first time this year Radio 4 has won the bit rate battle and is in (((STEREO))) on a Friday night. YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!
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Nedbod9:28 PM
I would say it is not an improvement in Local Radio quality on DAB that we need, but an vast improvement in DAB bit rate & quality on National Radio in order to make DAB more attractive. Someone at the BBC is still choosing whether the extra sports broadcasts on BBC 5 Live sports Extra means that he either he/she reduces BBC Radio 4 DAB to 80kbps and plunges it from (((STEREO))) to mono, or reduces the posh boys' Radio 3 DAB from their elite 192 kbps to 160 kbps (the same as Classic FM : DAB, which seems like a misnomer). Luckily, from my point of view, for the first time this year Radio 4 has won the bit rate battle and is in (((STEREO))) on a Friday night. So ANY QUESTIONS & THE FRIDAY PLAY were both in (((STEREO))) with 128kbps YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!
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Saturday, 1 December 2012
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Nedbod12:52 PM
BRIAN : Can you please remove the previous post above.
Sorry I copied and pasted more text than I intended, trying to correct a small spelling mistake and the grammar in my previous text. That will teach me to block text !!
My computer has copied half the page !!
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David Pinfold8:30 PM
Banbury
Briantist: It has been announced here in Oxfordshire that the local DAB mux will be in operation before Christmas. Do you have details on this and also which transmitters will be broadcasting it? Originally it was going to be Oxford (Beckley) & Farthinghoe, but I think there may be additional sites (possibly Bretch Hill amongst Them)
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David's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
David Pinfold: Ofcom has the plan here - http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf :
Oxford
Farthinghoe
Boars Hill
Woodcote
Duckington Farm
Over Norton
Ascottunder Wychwood
Chain Hill
Bampton Castle S
Bretch Hill
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