[PeterB]

Arqiva begins build of next phase of BBC DAB transmitters

27th Aug 2008

Digital radio expands with 54 new DAB transmitters

Strengthening of national digital infrastructure

Delivery by March 2010

Arqiva has begun phase three of its contract with the BBC to build and operate additional transmitters to expand the coverage of the BBC's DAB digital radio network. The BBC has confirmed an order for 54 new DAB transmitter sites across the UK, which will be delivered between January 2009 and March 2010.

These additional sites form part of the digital TV and radio contract, signed in September 2006, and further strengthen the BBC's national digital infrastructure. Work by Arqiva on these new sites will begin immediately, with the first transmitter expected to be switched on in January 2009.

Paul Eaton, head of broadcast radio at Arqiva, said: "We're delighted to help the BBC continue to expand its digital radio network. These transmitters will bring thousands more listeners into national DAB coverage across the whole of the UK."

[Bluenile]

Is there a list of the new sites anywhere?

[PeterB]

BBC say:

The BBC is still expanding its network and expects to launch a number of new transmitters during 2008 and 2009. The exact launch date for each transmitter is subject to local authority planning applications and good weather.

[Bluenile]

Recent BBC National DAB launches:

11 September 2008: Abergavenny, Arfon
29 August 2008: Mapperley Ridge
24 July 2008: Taunton

[tvhamster]

Personally I think manningtree should become one....

[hanssolo]

In 2007 depending on the licence fee settlement
http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi/docs/organi...unications.pdf

The BBC is committed to designing, commissioning, building and operating 150 transmitters to extend coverage of the BBC’s national DAB multiplex from 85% to 90%.

Now looks like 150 has been reduced to the 54 after the licence fee settlement was less than expected and other platforms like the web and DTV ( Freeview and Freesat etc) are needed to pick up new digital stations for the remaining 10% who can't get DAB.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by tvhamster

Personally I think manningtree should become one....

Already is, and in fact has been for the last 5 years!

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/manningtree.php

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/trans...al_radio.shtml

[KnobTwiddler]

Originally Posted by tvhamster

Personally I think manningtree should become one....

http://frequencyfinder.org.uk/DAB_nat_txt1.pdf

I'll leave this here anyway.

[BMR]

Will Whitby finally be covered?

[pje1979]

Originally Posted by BMR

Will Whitby finally be covered?

I would think that Whitby should be on the list but who knows? It already has D1 coverage and Scarborough has D1 and BBC coverage, so I would think the BBC would want to have a transmitter at Whitby to complete coverage of the Yorkshire coast? With Whitby already having a D1 transmitter I would have thought it would make things easier for Arqiva to install a BBC transmitter.

[spanners]

Originally Posted by Bluenile

Is there a list of the new sites anywhere?

this is the list for 2009 from the BBC:



"During 2009 we will launch one transmitter each week:

South Wales (6 sites); East Anglia; Haddington; Aberdeen; Dumfries & Galloway (3 sites); Leeds; Pontypridd; Yorkshire; Doncaster; Fort William; Scotland (central belt); Wiltshire; South Gloucester; mid-Wales (2 sites); Central Edinburgh; Guisborough; West Wales (2 sites); Borders; Northants; Highlands; Reading; Anglesey; Lakeland; North West Wales; M4 corridor; East Anglia; Welsh borders; Peterhead; Northumberland; Stoke-on-Trent; Lowestoft; Cornwall (2 sites); North East; East Kent; Southampton; South Downs; North Norfolk; North Yorkshire; North York Moors; Ashford"

[tghe-retford]

Originally Posted by spanners

"During 2009 we will launch one transmitter each week:

South Wales (6 sites); East Anglia; Haddington; Aberdeen; Dumfries & Galloway (3 sites); Leeds; Pontypridd; Yorkshire; Doncaster; Fort William; Scotland (central belt); Wiltshire; South Gloucester; mid-Wales (2 sites); Central Edinburgh; Guisborough; West Wales (2 sites); Borders; Northants; Highlands; Reading; Anglesey; Lakeland; North West Wales; M4 corridor; East Anglia; Welsh borders; Peterhead; Northumberland; Stoke-on-Trent; Lowestoft; Cornwall (2 sites); North East; East Kent; Southampton; South Downs; North Norfolk; North Yorkshire; North York Moors; Ashford"

That should improve reception of BBC DAB national on a par with MXR Yorkshire and EMAP South Yorkshire within North Nottinghamshire though it will be far from perfect for many people - they still have a tendency to drop out, particularly for those living in the middle of Worksop, where you can struggle to pick anything up in the middle of town and at the bottom of Kilton Hill. Retford fares better, but still struggles in a few places in town.

Oddly enough, BBC DAB and Digital One is helped in a few places by Fishpond Mill in Mansfield. NOW Nottingham coming through in places as well.

Just Digital One to join the rest now.

[belleville1]

Is there a list anywhere showing actual site names? I'm perplexed as to why they feel the need to put in another Stoke-on-Trent transmitter when reception is already brilliant from the local Alsagers Bank site. I suspect it's Tick Hill as used by the local multiplex, but it'd be interesting to know.

[chunkymagmonkey]

Originally Posted by PeterB

BBC say:

The BBC is still expanding its network and expects to launch a number of new transmitters during 2008 and 2009. The exact launch date for each transmitter is subject to local authority planning applications and good weather.

Planning permission would not be required if the BBC intend to make use of an existing aerial. It would only be needed if a new aerial and buildings were required at the base of the mast.

[citylink_uk]

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

Planning permission would not be required if the BBC intend to make use of an existing aerial. It would only be needed if a new aerial and buildings were required at the base of the mast.

If the site has never had DAB before, then they will need to get planning permission to erect the Band III antennas.

[mjdj1689]

Originally Posted by belleville1

Is there a list anywhere showing actual site names? I'm perplexed as to why they feel the need to put in another Stoke-on-Trent transmitter when reception is already brilliant from the local Alsagers Bank site. I suspect it's Tick Hill as used by the local multiplex, but it'd be interesting to know.

If you know the kidsgrove area you can loose it a bit round there, same with Stokes own mutiplex.

[Paul from FF]

Originally Posted by tghe-retford

Just Digital One to join the rest now.

Actually Digital One is ahead of the BBC network at the moment by about 40 transmitters.

From the BBC list, D1 is already broadcasting from the Leeds, East Anglia, Reading, Lowestoft, East Kent, Ashford and Southampton transmitters listed.

D1 also has a large number of transmitters in the London area that don't appear on the BBC list, plus additional fillers for Liverpool, Bristol, Coventry, Leicestershire, Eastbourne, Chesterfield, Bridlington and Workington that don't appear on the BBC's current list.

The difference in strategy between the BBC and D1 is because D1 wanted extra-robust reception in major cities to promote its (now failed) mobile TV service, while the BBC is focusing on covering currently unserved areas and plugging major reception holes.

[chunkymagmonkey]

Originally Posted by citylink_uk

If the site has never had DAB before, then they will need to get planning permission to erect the Band III antennas.

The erection of Band 111 antennas onto an existing transmitter, should be a formality, to which a planning authority would give consent in a short period of time. In fact, the application would probably be approved by officers under a delegated regime.

In these circumstances planning issues cannot be used as an excuse for delays in constructing the DAB aerial.

[belleville1]

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

The erection of Band 111 antennas onto an existing transmitter, should be a formality, to which a planning authority would give consent in a short period of time. In fact, the application would probably be approved by officers under a delegated regime.

In these circumstances planning issues cannot be used as an excuse for delays in constructing the DAB aerial.

Sometimes NIMBYs can cause an issue, even with existing sites.

There was a recent problem local to me like this. A water tower on high ground was well established as a transmission site, with a TV broadcast relay, numerous mobile phone installations and various emergency and utility antennas. I think there were already twelve RF installations in total up there.

Then Vodafone wanted to add a 3G aerial or something to their existing installation and all hell broke loose-- front page stories in the local paper, endless objections on health grounds and so on. It passed in the end, but not without a battle and a delay of several months. People are ignorant about RF and many planning applications, even if they seem to us like a formality, are at risk of attracting a NIMBY campaign. And these people would be the first to complain if their mobile failed to work, their telly went spotty or the fire brigade couldn't communicate from their street!

[chunkymagmonkey]

Originally Posted by belleville1

Sometimes NIMBYs can cause an issue, even with existing sites.

There was a recent problem local to me like this. A water tower on high ground was well established as a transmission site, with a TV broadcast relay, numerous mobile phone installations and various emergency and utility antennas. I think there were already twelve RF installations in total up there.

Then Vodafone wanted to add a 3G aerial or something to their existing installation and all hell broke loose-- front page stories in the local paper, endless objections on health grounds and so on. It passed in the end, but not without a battle and a delay of several months. People are ignorant about RF and many planning applications, even if they seem to us like a formality, are at risk of attracting a NIMBY campaign. And these people would be the first to complain if their mobile failed to work, their telly went spotty or the fire brigade couldn't communicate from their street!

I take your point about NIMBYs, but generally there is a considerable amount of concern about the potential health risks associated with living close to mobile phone masts, which does not exist with DAB aerials. It is incumbent upon the DAB aerial providers to undertake advance publicity to ensure that the populous are aware that the masts are to be used for this purpose, not for mobile phones, to ensure such situations do not occur.

The bottom line is that it local planning authorities refuse planning permission and cannot sustain the decision at an appeal they will be liable for costs. In the light of this planning authorities are reluctant to refuse consent unless there are good gronds for doing so.

[fmradiotuner1]

Originally Posted by tvhamster

Personally I think manningtree should become one....

I was able to pick up the BBC fine even with full signal before Manningtree came on line in Clacton and around the east coast around 2001.

[SuffolkRadio]

Wheres the new east anglia one going?

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

The erection of Band 111 antennas onto an existing transmitter, should be a formality, to which a planning authority would give consent in a short period of time. In fact, the application would probably be approved by officers under a delegated regime.

In these circumstances planning issues cannot be used as an excuse for delays in constructing the DAB aerial.

It took Arqiva over a year, and an appeal, to get permission from Basingstoke and Deane Council to add two Band III DAB aerials to the existing NGW radio mast that serves the town.

Funny, they approved my conservatory in just three weeks

[chunkymagmonkey]

Originally Posted by Mark C

It took Arqiva over a year, and an appeal, to get permission from Basingstoke and Deane Council to add two Band III DAB aerials to the existing NGW radio mast that serves the town.

Funny, they approved my conservatory in just three weeks

If Arqiva won the appeal, I would imagine that they would have been awarded costs against the Council. The Councils in the North East of England turn around planning applicatios in double quick time and rarely make "daft" decisions

[BMR]

It's quite probable that non-techie councillors don't understand what a minor process this is, and are mistakingly thinking it involves a whole new transmitter mast or something.