UK regulator Ofcom considering phasing out analog radio

We keep hearing about this "new media" thing that's supposed to bring the imminent death of traditional print and broadcast media. Only problem is that those pesky old-school journalists still keep turning out printed pages and keep making radio and TV shows that are actually aired, over, you know, the analog airwaves. Well, the UK may be the first country to shut down traditional analog broadcasts in favor of digital radio (and probably those podcast things we've heard about). Red Herring is reporting that Ofcom, the UK's equivalent of the FCC, recently published a statement that automatic renewal of AM and FM licenses could "tie up very valuable slices of spectrum for 24 years" and that the spectrum should instead be used for mobile television and "more digital radio and data services." However, while traditional radio is unlikely to get shut down overnight, Ofcom apparently believes that it will get phased out pretty soon. We're guessing that by the time that happens, DAB radios will probably drop under the $100 mark, allowing us to finally enjoy the Beeb in full digital glory and on the cheap.

[dave @ Dec 1st 2006 12:28AM]

just a shame DAB is a joke in the UK....

[randyrandall89 @ Dec 1st 2006 3:50AM]

Yeah, DAB radio is a pile of pants. They've been reducing the badnwidthsome stations get so they can squeeze others in. Hence, quality is mashed. FM anyday.

[Xander @ Dec 1st 2006 4:15AM]

You can't get DAB in some places in the UK, i.e. most of Cornwall.
Also the quality is mega-crap when you're driving.

[Seb @ Dec 1st 2006 6:15AM]

With any luck, freeing up the FM spectrum will allow for increasing the bit rate on existing channels.

Also, DAB radios have already dropped below the $100 mark. I recently picked one up for �25 (less than $50).

[gary @ Dec 1st 2006 9:44AM]

Hold on, does anyone know of DAB for in-car systems that ACTUALLY work??? Most cars have traditional FM and even most new cars don't come with DAB. IT's a pretty bold move considering how many traditional FM units are out there.

[Jonathan Baldwin @ Dec 1st 2006 2:31PM]

I've long wondered why people think the inclusion of FM radios on DAPs is a good thing when DAB has long been available across the UK (and those who think the quality is bad - I'd check your equipment to be honest, as it's certainly a lot better than the hiss and interference of FM.

Now that most radios sold in the UK are DAB, and Currys have stopped selling FM (and VCRs, and film cameras) it's time to let the bandwidth go.
The next target in the cause of tackling pretty stupid ideas: companies that still make TVs without integrated digital tuners!

[Sim @ Dec 2nd 2006 6:50AM]

If they actually make DAB workable in the uk, then im all for it. Soemtimes its ok, say int he house or car in london.

But what about all those poor sods who live in nowhere-shire? How will they listen to the archers etc?

[Irene Mary Richards @ Apr 28th 2008 8:45AM]

With millions of cars still with analog will there be a converter on the market. Is one already available.