The UK currently has the world’s largest and oldest digital radio network, with 103 transmitters, with three national DAB ensembles and forty-eight local and regional DAB multiplexes broadcasting over 250 commercial and 34 BBC radio stations across the UK.
In the capital of London, there are already more than 51 different digital stations available.
Digital radio multiplex operators and stations need a broadcasting licence from the UK’s media regulator Ofcom to broadcast.
Digital radio in the United Kingdom is being promoted by radio stations and the broadcasting industry on the premise that it provides a wider choice of radio stations, is easier to use, and is resistant to the interference which other broadcast media are susceptible to. However, the price paid for the extra number of stations is that the audio quality on DAB is lower than on FM.
Also, some areas of the country are not presently covered by DAB; the BBC says that it may not provide coverage to the final 10% of the population, and may use Digital Radio Mondiale instead.
In 2011, Ofcom published a consultation with the intent to push DAB coverage across the United Kingdom up to the same level as enjoyed by FM broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom Government intends to migrate the vast majority of AM and FM analogue services to digital between 2015 and 2019, subject to targets being met for coverage, listening figures for digital radio and agreements in relation to funding and other decisions related to switchover being made under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, broadcasters and ensemble operators.
The proportion of UK radio listeners with a DAB radio in their household was 49% in 2015 (Ofcom).
The proportion of listener hours through a digital platform (DAB, online, DTV) was 40% in 2015 (Ofcom).
More than 61 per cent of new cars now come with a DAB digital radio as standard.
DAB Transmissions
DAB radio uses a transmission system known as coded orthogonal frequency division multiplex (COFDM). This divides the signals amongst several hundred low bitrate carriers.
Because the bitrates are low, the signal can be subject to large multipath dispersion without any adverse effect on reception. Multipath actually reinforces and improves reception.
For DAB, the bitrates on the individual carriers are low enough for different transmitters carrying the same stations to broadcast on the same frequency, provided they are correctly synchronised. This enables much more efficient use of the radio spectrum.
Each DAB transmission, known as a multiplex, is spread over about 1.5 MHz, with 4 phase (2 bit) symbols. This gives a data rate of about 2.4 Mbit/s, about half of which is used for error correction (though this may be varied).
Each multiplex carries between 6 and 15 radio stations, depending on the bitrate allocated to each station. The data for all the stations is distributed amongst all of the carriers.
This is to ensure that interference to a few carriers does not cause more disruption to a particular station’s bitstream than the error correction software can handle.
Time interleaving is also used to protect against short duration interference spikes.
DAB broadcasts in VHF band III between 174 and 240 MHz. Band III is divided into eight 7 MHz channels, numbered 5 to 12 and the 10 MHz wide channel 13.
Channels 1-4 are in band I, which is no longer used for broadcasting.
Each 7 MHz channel is subdivided into four smaller channels, designated A, B, C and D, and channel 13 is subdivided into six channels, A-F. Each DAB channel is designated by a number and a
letter. The BBC national multiplex uses channel 12B, Digital One on 11D and Sound Digital on 11A.
DAB can also operate in the L band between 1452 and 1492 MHz. However, many DAB radios only receive VHF band III.
DAB Reception & Aerials
For most listeners, the built-in aerial should be sufficient for reliable reception. For those outside the main urban areas, an external aerial may be required.
In most areas, a Single Element Dipole Aerial should be sufficient to receive signals from multiple DAB transmitters.
For weaker or fringe signal areas a DAB 3 Elements Aerial would be recommended.
DAB Aerials are mounted horizontally or vertically depending on the transmitter being received.
All DAB aerials mount on a vertical pole up to 3.81 cm (1.5 inches), they can be mounted internally usually in a loft or externally depending on the signal level and distance from the transmitter.
When purchasing a new DAB radio make sure it is a DAB+ radio, three DAB+ stations will soon be on air and more are certain to follow in the future.
DAB+ radios can also receive the older DAB format currently used in the UK.
Criticisms of DAB in the UK
Criticisms of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) in the UK primarily center on its poor audio quality compared to FM, its use of outdated technology, and unreliable reception in many areas. While marketed as a high-fidelity replacement for analogue radio, many critics argue it has sacrificed quality to squeeze in a higher quantity of stations.
Inferior Audio Quality
Many UK DAB stations use the ancient MP2 codec at low bitrates (often 64-80 kbps), frequently in mono rather than stereo. This results in a “muffled” or “metallic” sound that many listeners find worse than a clean FM signal.
Outdated Standards
The UK’s early adoption of DAB means it is stuck with the original, inefficient standard. While DAB+ is more efficient and provides better quality, the UK has been slow to transition, leaving many older receivers unable to pick up newer DAB+ services.
In addition, Ofcom has said that even after extra spectrum has been allocated to DAB, it estimates that around 90 local radio stations will either be unable to transmit on DAB because there is no space for them on a local DAB multiplex or because they cannot afford the high transmission costs of DAB that the multiplex operators are charging. However, Ofcom announced in 2005 that it regarded Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) as being an option for the local stations unable to secure carriage or unable to pay the high transmission costs of DAB.
The current UK DAB system has a long list of drawbacks associated with it due to the fact that the system was designed many years ago and it uses technologies that are outdated and inefficient. Numerous countries that had previously supported DAB rejected using it because it is so outdated.
DAB+ is an upgrade of the DAB system, which solves or vastly improves upon each of DAB’s drawbacks. The main advantage of DAB+ is that it is three times as efficient as DAB, which mean that DAB+ can carry far more stations, and all stations can be delivered at far higher audio quality than on DAB.
Other benefits include transmission costs being far lower; less spectrum being required; reception quality is far more robust, and DAB+ is a much greener technology because the overall transmission power required is far lower.
DAB delivers lower quality than FM
In the UK, many listeners and experts argue that DAB delivers lower audio quality than FM. While DAB was originally marketed as providing “crystal clear” sound, the practical implementation by broadcasters often results in an inferior listening experience compared to a strong FM signal.
Why DAB often Sounds Worse
Low Bit Rates: To fit more stations onto a single frequency (multiplexing), operators often reduce the bit rate of individual stations. While 256 kbps is considered high quality for the MP2 codec used by standard DAB, many UK stations broadcast at 128 kbps or lower, leading to a flat or “dull” sound.
Mono vs. Stereo: Due to limited bandwidth, several music stations have switched from stereo to mono on DAB, which significantly degrades the audio experience compared to FM’s standard stereo.
Outdated Codec
The UK primarily uses the MP2 codec (MPEG-1 Audio Layer II), which is roughly 30 years old and much less efficient than modern formats.
Signal Artifacts
When a DAB signal is weak, it produces a “gurgling” or “bubbling mud” sound rather than the gradual hiss of FM, and it can cut out completely.
The Exception: DAB+
The newer DAB+ standard uses the more efficient HE-AAC codec, which can deliver better audio quality at lower bit rates than standard DAB. However, many major UK broadcasters still rely on the original DAB standard to ensure compatibility with older digital radios.
For the highest quality digital audio, many audiophiles now prefer Internet streaming, which often uses higher bit rates and modern codecs that exceed both DAB and FM performance.
DAB+
The transition to DAB+ in the UK has accelerated significantly. While the BBC and major national stations initially stuck to standard DAB, many have now migrated or launched new services in the higher-quality DAB+ format.
National Stations on DAB+
Broadcasters like Global and Bauer Media have moved a large portion of their digital-only and “spin-off” stations to DAB+. On March 31, 2025, Bauer officially transitioned its main brands—Absolute Radio, KISS, KISSTORY, and Magic Radio—to DAB+ to enable stereo broadcasting and improved sound.
The following is a list of major national stations currently broadcasting in DAB+ in the UK:
BBC Services:
BBC Radio 1 Anthems (launched Sept 2025)
BBC Radio 1 Dance (launched Sept 2025)
BBC Radio 3 Unwind (launched Sept 2025)
Commercial Stations (Global & Bauer):
Capital: Capital UK, Capital Dance, Capital XTRA, and Capital XTRA Reloaded.
Heart: Heart 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and Heart Dance.
Smooth: Smooth UK, Smooth Chill, and Smooth 80s.
Absolute: Absolute Radio (main), Absolute 80s, 90s, and Absolute Classic Rock.
Others: Radio X, LBC News, Gold, Jazz FM, Virgin Radio Anthems/Chilled, and talkSPORT2.
Specialist Stations: Stations like Boom Radio, GB News Radio, and UCB1/2 also broadcast nationally via DAB+.
Small-Scale & Local DAB+
The “Small-Scale DAB” rollout has added over 180 stations to the airwaves, many of which use DAB+ exclusively because it allows more stations to fit on a single local multiplex.
How to Check Your Radio
To receive these stations, your device must be DAB+ compatible. Most radios sold in the last decade feature the Digital Radio Tick Mark, which confirms they can decode both standard DAB and DAB+. If a station appears in your list but you hear no audio, your radio likely only supports the older standard.
DAB+ Quality
Audio codec: aacPlus v2
Better than FM quality requires 56-96 kbps
Similar to FM quality requires 40-64 kbps
Acceptable, worse than FM 24-48 kbps
(Based on stereo services)
DAB Frequency Plan in the UK
DAB radio stations in the United Kingdom are broadcast on a number of frequency blocks on VHF Band III. The original plan devised in Wiesbaden for the framework of DAB in Europe was to allocate frequency blocks 11B to 12D for UK DAB broadcasting. However, as part of its Review of Radio, Ofcom has expanded the frequency allocations for DAB and has advertised local and a national ensemble licence on blocks outside the original Wiesbaden plan on 10B to 10D and 11A. Block 5A has also been reserved for the launch of local ensembles.
|
Block
|
Frequency
|
England & Wales
|
Scotland
|
Northern Ireland
|
|
5A
|
174.928 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes
|
None
|
None
|
|
10B
|
211.648 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes |
None
|
None
|
|
10C
|
213.360 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes |
None
|
None
|
|
10D
|
215.072 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes |
None
|
None
|
|
11A
|
216.928 MHz
|
Sound Digital |
Sound Digital
|
Sound Digital
|
|
11B
|
218.640 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes | Local Multiplexes |
None
|
|
11C
|
220.352 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes | Local Multiplexes |
None
|
|
11D
|
222.064 MHz
|
Digital One ensemble
|
Local Multiplexes |
None
|
|
12A
|
223.936 MHz
|
Local and regional (except West Wales)
|
Digital One ensemble
|
None
|
|
12B
|
225.648 MHz
|
BBC National DAB
|
BBC national DAB
|
BBC National DAB
|
|
12C
|
227.360 MHz
|
Local and regional (except the south coast)
|
Local and regional
|
None
|
|
12D
|
229.072 MHz
|
Local Multiplexes (except the south coast)
|
Local Multiplexes
|
Local Multiplexes
|
BBC National DAB
BBC National DAB is a Digital audio broadcasting multiplex owned and operated by the BBC and is transmitted from a number of transmitter sites across the country; it only carries BBC radio stations.
Part Time Services
The BBC National DAB multiplex makes extensive use of dynamic ensemble reconfiguration to allow a number of part-time services to broadcast. While these additional services are on air the bit rates of (one or more of) BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, and data services are reduced.
BBC Data Services
Digital radio text is the scrolling information that is broadcast along with the audio content on DAB. This can be dynamic programme information, an email address or phone number for a particular show, news headlines and sports results – and on some music networks ‘now playing’ track information. Some of the latest DAB products can pick up a broadcast EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) which provides free, useful information programme information for up to 7 days in advance prior to broadcast, allowing users to record a particular show automatically – or even an entire series of programmes.
Digital One
Digital One has been broadcasting a selection of digital radio stations since 1999, to give UK listeners more digital listening choice. The Digital One transmission network covers over 90% of UK households, over 160 transmitter sites, enabling commercial broadcasters to reach the widest audience possible.
The company is wholly owned by Arqiva, one of the UK’s biggest communications infrastructure companies which operate across broadcast, satellite and mobile communications markets. Digital One’s head office is in central London alongside other Arqiva businesses.
Digital One is committed to the long-term promotion of digital radio in the UK and beyond. Together with the BBC and the big commercial radio groups, it is active in organisations including Digital Radio UK and WorldDMB (an international partnership of broadcasters, manufacturers and regulators).
Website: www.arqiva.com/media/radio/national-dab
Sound Digital
The second national commercial DAB multiplex, Sound Digital, launched in the UK in March 2016.
Working in collaboration with Bauer and Wireless, we built and launched the new network for Sound Digital. We continue to operate the multiplex, distribution network and contribution links from studios around the UK.
The Sound Digital transmission network covers 83% of UK households. With a network of 64 transmitters it achieves a combination of broad UK coverage and cost-effectiveness for digital radio stations.
The launch of Sound Digital saw a significant increase in choice of content for consumers, from a range of broadcasters.
Sound Digital was the first national multiplex to use the more efficient DAB+ technology for some stations. DAB+ uses less bandwidth than traditional DAB, allowing a multiplex to carry more stations, expanding listener choice. DAB+ is now used by more than half of the stations across Sound Digital and Digital One.
Website: www.arqiva.com/media/radio/national-dab
DAB Links
BBC Digital Radio
BBC Digital Radio Information.
DAB Coverage Maps
Maps and coverage figures for the existing coverage of local DAB multiplexes can be found on the Ofcom website.
DAB Ensamble Worldwide
Information about DAB transmissions around the world.
Digital One
Website of the national commercial digital radio operator, full of useful information about national DAB stations.
Digital Radio Now
A one-stop guide to DAB in the U.K., coverage, stations equipment and information on in car DAB.
Digital Radio Development Bureau
The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) is a trade body funded and supported by the BBC and commercial radio multiplex operators.
Local DAB services (Arqiva)
Now Digital, primarily through two wholly owned subsidiaries of Arqiva – Now Digital Ltd and Now Digital (Southern) Ltd, operates 25 DAB digital radio multiplexes across the UK. Each multiplex is operated under a license from the UK communications regulator, Ofcom.
London DAB Radio Stations
There are over 60 DAB radio stations available in London. Some of these are digital broadcasts of local and national radio stations which are available via AM and FM radio, but there are also a large number of additional stations which aren’t available on analogue. This page contains a list of all the radio stations currently available on DAB in London.
World DAB
Source of information on DAB around the world.