LEIPZIG, Germany—Germany’s MDR (Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk) continues expanding its DAB+ network. On Dec. 15, two new multiplex transmitters will be put on-air, improving coverage in the Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia states of Germany.

With the commissioning of the site Dequede (channel 6B, 9 KW) in northern Saxony-Anhalt, large parts of the Altmark will be covered with DAB + for the first time. An increase in power from 3 kW to 10 kW at the Kulpenberg site (channel 6B) toward Saxony-Anhalt makes it possible to improve the coverage in the area Südharz, especially in the region between Nordhausen and Sangerhausen.

Also at Kulpenberg, with power directed towards Thuringia, a new transmission system with 10 kW on channel 8B meant cover the regions Sondershausen, Bad Frankenhausen and Hainleite, will be placed on-air as part of the expansion stage.

The transmitter site Inselberg (channel 8B, 10 KW) will use an omnidirectional antenna, improving DAB + coverage west and south of the Thuringian Forest.

With these changes, the digital terrestrial reception in central Germany in buildings will increase to 84 percent from 79 percent, and coverage outside will increase to 98 percent from 90 percent.
Meanwhile, on the English Channel isle of Guernsey, the BBC has added DAB transmitters at Les Touillets.

The installation at Les Touillets transmitter had been on hold while discussions about a possible move of the transmitter were resolved. The new mux will carry the BBC's national services, along with Radios 1 to 5 Live, 1Xtra, 4 Extra, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, Asian Network and World Service. Local radio services are not be available on DAB, but FM and MW services operate as before.

Digital radio reception is being improved for over 330,000 people in the Sussex area – around Crawley, Newhaven, Heathfield and in the Sussex Weald, north of Shoreham, according to radio.co.uk.

Early in 2016 another two DAB transmitters will be added, adding over 40,000 listeners in Midhurst and Rye into coverage; in August 2016 a sixth digital transmitter will add a further 50,000 listeners in Horsham.

There are also six extra DAB station on-air in Brighton at the moment on the mini-mux trial – Juice 107.2, RadioReverb, totallyradio, Smile Sussex, Resonance Extra and student station, URF Sussex.

Recently, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Lynda Hyde, pressed the big green “retune” switch to mark the moment for listeners to have their DAB digital radios re-scan, and start the process of turning on the new digital transmitters. The Mayor urged all digital listeners in Sussex to retune to ensure that they could continue to listen to BBC Sussex, Heart Sussex, Smooth Radio Sussex, Capital, Gold, KISSTORY, heat, Gaydio and Smile Sussex.

Ed Vaizey, MP, the UK Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, said: “The big digital radio retune is fantastic news for both listeners and local radio stations. With more than 30 million of us tuning in every week, and three quarters of all cars now coming with DAB as standard, there’s no doubt the future of radio in the UK is digital. Government is working closely with our partners on the expansion of DAB digital radio, bringing listeners around the UK greater access, better coverage and an even wider variety of content.”
Paul Eaton, Director of Digital Radio, Arqiva, said: “I am delighted that the local DAB coverage expansion program is continuing with Sussex being the latest area to receive a digital boost. We look forward to playing our part in expanding local DAB coverage to the level of commercial radio FM coverage.”

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