Arqiva, the UK communications infrastructure company, has signed an agreement which will see the reach of Sound Digital’s commercial DAB multiplex in the UK expand by nearly 4 million people.

The deal with Sound Digital will see Arqiva add 19 new transmitters to the existing network. This will increase Sound Digital’s household coverage by over 1.6 million new households in areas such as Devon, Cornwall, South Wales, North East Scotland, East Anglia and Kent.

Sound Digital, the second national commercial DAB multiplex, currently carries 19 radio stations on its network, including Mellow Magic, Virgin Radio, Forces Radio, Sunrise Radio and Jack 3. It is the first national multiplex in the UK to use DAB+ technology for some of its services.

“This agreement to expand the reach of Sound Digital is further evidence of the continued success of DAB radio in the UK, and the fact that more and more people are making it their digital radio platform of choice,” suggested Steve Holebrook, Managing Director, Terrestrial Broadcast at Arqiva. “This week’s RAJAR figures are widely expected to show that for the first time ever, the majority of radio listening is through digital means and within that, DAB is by far the largest contributor. We are delighted to be bringing Sound Digital’s diverse range of content to almost 4 million new listeners for the first time.”

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