SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: 26 AUGUST 2009

DIGITAL RADIO SWITCHOVER

Report by Director of Development

PURPOSE OF REPORT To update Members on proposals for Digital Radio switchover.

COMPETENCE

1.1 There are no legal, financial or other constraints to the recommendations being implemented.

SUMMARY

2.1 In the UK, analogue broadcast signals for television are being gradually switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. It has been confirmed that digital switchover for the Outer Hebrides will take place in July 2010.

2.2 Digital UK is leading the implementation of the switchover and its representatives visited the Outer Hebrides in April 2009 to carry out information sessions and meetings with the community, public bodies and third sector organisations. Digital UK are devoting considerable resources to marketing and awareness raising over the coming year.

2.3 The switchover to digital radio will be increasingly on the agenda in coming years, and is of particular relevance to the Outer Hebrides, where there is currently no Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio signal, although digital radio stations can be accessed via digital or satellite television, or over the internet.

2.4 The Government’s recently published Digital Britain report (June 2009) stresses its commitment to pushing forward the transition to DAB digital radio, and its intention to develop a Digital Migration Plan to achieve this aspiration. The target date for a Digital Radio Upgrade programme is the end of 2015.

RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle agree to:

a) note developments in relation to Digital TV Switchover; b) seek initial discussion with the BBC regarding their approach to digital radio rollout; and b) monitor progress as regards Digital Radio switchover in order to ensure the interests of the Outer Hebrides can be represented at the appropriate level.

Contact Officer: Anne Murray, Economic Development Officer, Ext 277

Appendix: None

Background Papers: None

BACKGROUND

4.1 Digital Radio switchover is of particular interest to the Outer Hebrides, where there is currently no Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio signal, although digital radio stations can be accessed via digital or satellite television, or over the internet.

4.2 The Government’s recently published Digital Britain report (June 2009) stresses its commitment to pushing forward the transition to DAB digital radio, and its intention to develop a Digital Migration Plan to achieve this aspiration. The target date for Digital Radio switchover is the end of 2015.

CURRENT SITUATION

5.1 DAB is the technology behind digital radio. It allows access to national and local stations broadcasting from a specific transmitter. Compared to FM, Digital Radio gives the opportunity for better quality of sound and an increased number of channels. In order to access DAB Digital Radio, it is necessary to purchase a DAB Radio. Many of these have additional features not on traditional radios and there is no need for tuning. Many DAB Digital Radio stations can also be listened to via the internet or digital and satellite television.

5.2 There are a range of different providers, covering different proportions of the population. BBC national digital radio covers about 86% of the population. National commercial digital radio, which includes stations such as Classic FM and , covers around 90% of the population. There are also a number of local stations broadcasting from specific transmitters.

5.3 Despite a high proportion of population coverage, large geographical areas have no access to digital radio. Digital Radio cannot be broadcast from the existing transmitters, meaning that new infrastructure has to be built. There is no current geographical coverage in the Outer Hebrides, most of the Scottish Highlands or other large areas in Scotland, particularly Dumfries and Galloway. However, expansion of the infrastructure is already taking place on an ongoing basis.

5.4 The Government’s Digital Britain report was published in June 2009. The recommendations of that report will shape the approach taken to digital radio switchover.

5.5 The Digital Britain report offers a clear statement and commitment from the Government that it will facilitate a move away from analogue radio to digital radio via the DAB platform. The Government sees itself as central to this development and states that, ‘at the of our vision is the delivery of a Digital Radio Upgrade programme by the end of 2015’. The Digital Radio switchover will be implemented on a single date, which will be announced at least two years in advance. On that date all services carried on the national FM spectrum will cease broadcasting in analogue.

5.6 Two criteria have been set for migration and the target date for this to be met has been set as the end of 2013. These are: • When 50% of radio listening is digital; • When national DAB coverage is comparable to FM coverage, and local DAB reaches 90% of population and all major roads.

5.7 has been asked to produce a yearly report on progress against these criteria. The first of which will be published by the end of 2010.

5.8 Other recommendations include: • The creation of a Digital Radio Delivery Group which includes the retailers, the Transmission Networks, the BBC, the Commercial Radio Companies, the Car Manufacturers, consumer representatives and the device manufacturers, whose role would be to increase the attractiveness, availability and affordability of DAB and to advise on the Digital Migration Plan. • Working with the BBC to explore how they could extend their digital radio coverage to replicate at least current FM analogue coverage. • A cost-benefit analysis of digital migration.

5.9 Local services will remain on the FM spectrum immediately after the switchover date. However, it appears that this will only be a temporary measure and that there will be a further upgrade at a later point. In the local context, this would mean that anyone with a DAB/FM radio would still be able to pick up Isles FM or could use ordinary FM radios to listen to Isles FM specifically.

5.10 There will need to be considerable investment in infrastructure. However, it is estimated that up to £200m of expenditure would be required in order to maintain a full FM national network over the next 20 years. Therefore, there is a clear argument that investment should be directed towards digital radio.

5.11 The Government are looking to the BBC and commercial operators to work with them to fund and provide this infrastructure. In particular, the Digital Britain report states that, ‘at a national level we will look to the BBC to begin an aggressive roll-out of its national multiplex to ensure its national digital radio services achieve coverage comparable to FM by the end of 2014’. It identifies that in parts of Scotland and there will need to be specific investment and partnership. However, it states that these costs are not believed to be prohibitive. The Government will work with the commercial radio sector, the BBC, transmission providers and Ofcom to agree a plan for the extension and improvement of local DAB coverage and agree where the costs of this should most appropriately fall, by Spring 2010.

5.12 In relation to this issue, there may be value in making early contact with the BBC in regard to their initial plans for local roll-out.

5.13 In-car listening will be supported through a range of measures, including seeking a commitment from manufacturers that by the end of 2013, all vehicles sold with a radio are digitally enabled or encourage the development of new products such as portable digital converters or Sat-Nav systems with integrated DAB radios.

CONCLUSION

6.1 It is clear from the Digital Britain report that the government is committed to digital radio via the DAB platform. The target date for digital radio switchover date has been set by Lord Carter, the Communications Minister, as 2015. This will give a much-needed time frame for both companies and consumers to make the shift from FM over to DAB. The Government’s proposed Digital Migration Plan will be a key component of this.

6.2 Unlike Digital TV switchover, where the analogue signal needs to be switched off in order to make space for the digital signal, FM and DAB radio signals can co-exist. The aspirations of the Digital Britain report are encouraging. However, given the location and population density of the Outer Hebrides it is important that the Comhairle monitors and engages on this issue to ensure that the Outer Hebrides benefits from the strategic objectives and priorities within the Digital Britain report, not only in relation to digital radio but also in relation to other communications infrastructure and access.