An extra nine DAB transmitters are expected to be working by the end of April, providing a boost for the BBC's digital radio transmitter network. Two of which were turned on last week, in Newport, Gwent and South West Glasgow/Dumbarton.
The other seven transmitters are planned to enter service gradually over the next few months as the final project work is completed. These will serve the following areas:
* Bury St Edmunds (Puttocks Hill)
* Norwich and parts of East Norfolk (Stoke Holy Cross)
* Arundel and the South Downs (Burton Down)
* Alnwick and East Northumberland (Chatton)
* Newhaven (Newhaven)
* Mansfield (Fishponds Hill)
* York and the East Riding of Yorkshire (Acklam Wold)
Jenny Abramsky, BBC Director of Audio & Music confirmed that the BBC was hoping to bring its DAB service to the Isle of Man and was working towards establishing a transmitter covering Douglas and the southern part of the island.
It is planned that this transmitter should come on stream over the summer, subject to planning approval and engineering constraints.
All ten transmitters are being built and will be operated for the BBC by Arqiva. They represent the first of the new transmitters to be ordered under the £1.8billion transmission agreement put in place between the two companies in September 2006.
Jenny Abramsky said: "I'm delighted to be able to announce these new transmitters. They represent a real and worthwhile improvement to the coverage of our DAB digital radio network. It shows the BBC's continuing commitment to making our services available on DAB digital radio."
Paul Eaton, Head of Broadcast Radio at Arqiva, said: "For many years we've built and operated transmitters for independent radio stations but these are the first we've provided for the BBC.
"We look forward to working closely with the BBC throughout and beyond Digital Switch Over."
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