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South Herts small-scale DAB is getting ready to launch next year across South Hertfordshire and parts of North London. The two-site Single Frequency Network (SFN) will provide coverage across South Hertfordshire, reaching key towns and communities while overlapping into several North London boroughs. Owners are now actively inviting expressions of interest from broadcasters seeking to reach South Hertfordshire from February 25th 2025. A South Herts DAB Representative told RadioToday: “This is a significant milestone for digital radio in South Hertfordshire. Our state-of-the-art network will not only enhance listening options for audiences but also provide an invaluable platform for broadcasters to grow their reach.”

The final survey of the year last week saw the return of Elf Radio to the DAB+ airwaves once again this year. Santa has shared his approved high rotation category with us via his CEO (Chief Elf Operator) Shannon Fong, and we can reveal that the top songs being played on the North Pole’s number one hit music station this year are: Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix; Ed Sheeran – Under the Tree; Ava Max – 1 Wish Dasha – Driving Home For Christmas; Little Big Town – Someday At Christmas

In Lower Saxony, there are test broadcasts from a further DAB+ digital radio transmitter site. The private ensemble Hannover (channel 8C) is now also being broadcast from the Sibbesse transmitter site near Hildesheim with a power of 2 kW. Tests have also been reported in northern Lower Saxony since February. The Rosengarten site has gone on air here for the private ensemble ‘Altes Land’ on channel 7B (transmission power: 5 kW). This is the first network expansion for the commercial multiplexes launched in summer 2023.

On 13 December, a private DAB+ multiplex was switched on at a further transmitter site in Lower Saxony. This was the first time that the broadcasting area of a private multiplex in Lower Saxony was expanded. With the Rosengarten/Langenrehm site, the ‘Altes Land’ ensemble has been expanded to include a second site. The multiplex is broadcast on channel 7B with a power of 5 kW ERP. The additional transmitter site will improve reception of the multiplex, especially south of the Hamburg mountains. This means that anyone travelling on the A1 or A7 motorways, for example, will benefit. Reception is also still possible in Hamburg. Eleven private radio programmes are broadcast via the package on channel 7B. In addition to ffn and The Wolf, these include 89.0 RTL, bigFM and Oldie Antenne.

Friday 13 December was the start date for the rights of use for channels 9C and 8C. Media Dab therefore implements the coverage with the activation of Corio, Alessandria, Colle Maddalena (Moncalieri), Monte Turu, Alba, Andreate, Lago d'Orta, Novara, Borgone di Susa, Borgosesia Cima Croce, operational by 24 December. By 27 January 2025, Turin Eremo, Cuneo Bra, Biella San Paolo and Asti will join. Finally, by 30 March 2025, Piaz di Mozzio, Cannelli Santo Stefano and the Turin-Savona tunnels will be added.

Estonia's TTJA has published an update on testing of DAB+. The regulator says: "Testing of the upgraded DAB+ standard in the 174-225 MHz band started in November 2022. The test period will end in the early months of 2025 due to a public call for tenders. During the tender procedure, permanent frequency authorisations will be issued for the construction of the nationwide network and the provision of network services." The TTJA's website has also published information on the 174-225 MHz band for coordinated radio transmitters.

An Exeter based community radio station for disabled people can now be listened to on DAB+ digital radio. Access All Aerials (AAA) has got its DAB+ licence, making it the first disability broadcaster to go fully digital. The radio station is operated by 50 people with disabilities and airs shows aimed at empowering the disabled community to have its voice heard. Access All Aerials is run by Community Equality Disability Action (CEDA) from its radio studio in Marsh Barton and says thousands of listeners tune in to its range of music shows and talk radio. CEDA said the radio station also aimed to help disabled people be visible and valued. Greg Hill, who presents the station's Tuesday Drivetime programme, said: "My hope for the future is to build our listenership and get our voices heard; mainstream radio doesn't give the same opportunities to disabled people."

Fiera touch, which has so far operated its DAB+ multiplex only in Prague and the eastern Bohemian region of Černá hora, launched a transmitter in Jemnice in the Vysočina region on Wednesday 11 December. The reason for commissioning this location is to test the possibility of operating digital radio in a small area and to offer a signal for approximately eight thousand inhabitants. "Jemnice was chosen as a model location for testing small transmitters that can complement the coverage provided by large transmitters in the network. The operator's intention is to test the effectiveness of a small transmitter in an urban environment, especially to improve indoor coverage," said Pavel Hájek, owner of the pHmedia group.

On Wednesday, broadcasts started from a local DAB+ network in the Leiden region. The broadcasts can be heard on channel 9D. Through the local DAB+ network in the Leiden region (allotment 27), broadcasts can be heard from local broadcasters Centraal+ (including Leiden, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude), Unity NL (Leiderdorp) and BO (Bollenstreek). Operation of the network is in the hands of Radio Netwerk Nederland. It broadcasts from a mast in Oegstgeest. This operator previously facilitated local DAB+ networks in Rotterdam, Twente, Leeuwarden, Tilburg and Den Bosch, among others.

Groupe 1981, which describes itself as ‘France's leading independent radio station’, has taken another step forward in its commitment to DAB+ with the allocation of 18 new frequencies to its Wit FM, BlackBox, Ado, OÜI FM, Forum and Vibration stations, now covering 12 additional départements. Already a forerunner in the adoption of this digital technology, the 1981 Group is consolidating its position by increasing the population covered by its DAB+ radio stations fivefold compared with its traditional FM frequencies by 2024. For Jean-Éric Valli, Chairman of Groupe 1981, DAB+ represents a major revolution: "We have supported DAB+ since its launch 10 years ago, because this technology is transforming the way French people listen to the radio. With its superior sound quality, free listening and more stable, energy-efficient broadcasting, I'm convinced that this standard will become the benchmark."