So what is DAB Radio and what does DAB mean for us? Is Digital Radio great news for listeners? Does it bring more choice and improved sound quality? Is DAB coverage better and do I need to buy a DAB radio aerial?

Over 500 million people around the world can now receive over 900 different DAB/DMB/DAB-IP services. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receivers have been on the market since the summer of 1998. There are now over 300 different DAB receivers commercially available and over 100 different Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) receivers on the market, which can also receive DAB services / have DAB coverage.

What are the main benefits of DAB Radio?

• More radio stations
• Better sound quality with less interference
• No need to fiddle with the tuning
• Available through digital TV and online
• Details of songs, artists, news, weather... all displayed
• No need to remember frequencies
• Electronic programme guides so you can record favourites
• Possible pause and rewind options (dependent on radio)

What's the difference between traditional and DAB radio?

Traditional analogue radio - historically, radio programmes have always been broadcast on different frequencies, with the radio or receiving device tuned into each frequency. There are distinct disadvantages with this analogue transmission. It uses up a large amount of spectrum for a relatively small number of stations, limiting listening choice. Also radio signals are subject to interference on their way from the transmitter to your radio. These problems are caused by mountains, high-rise buildings and weather conditions.

DAB radio is a digital technology for broadcasting radio stations - it uses these transmitter interferences as reflectors creating multipath reception conditions to optimise receiver sensitivity. DAB radio always selects the strongest regional transmitter automatically saving the need for tuning your frequency. DAB is a way of transmitting sound as computerised bits of information, taking up much less space in the airwaves which means there is more room for radio stations and other features.

Fitting a DAB radio aerial and UK DAB coverage

A DAB radio comes with an indoor DAB radio aerial which should work well if you're within DAB coverage area, however if you're listening in a basement, or your building is steel-framed, or reinforced concrete, you might need an external DAB radio aerial. In most cases if you already have poor FM or mobile phone reception, chances are you'll need an external DAB radio aerial. Qualified aerial installers should be able to help you install your DAB radio aerial - Find aerial installers.

DAB covers about 80% of the UK at present and DAB coverage is rising - check DAB coverage on the BBC website . More than 40 million people are currently within range of DAB digital radio and listening free of charge, however remember you do need to buy a DAB radio and probably a DAB radio aerial to be able to listen, here are a few ideas: