§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what further plans he has to promote digital audio broadcasting. [16895]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe provisions in the Broadcasting Bill are designed to give terrestrial digital audio broadcasting its best chance of success. The Government are committed to play their full part by creating the most favourable environment for the rapid introduction of new digital broadcasting technologies and, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Sir M. Neubert) on 19 January 1994, at column647, the Government announced that certain frequencies would be made available to allow the introduction of DAB services. However, the Government were unable at the time to give any commitment that DAB services would remain in this band once it became possible to free up spectrum in the FM band by closing down analogue services. I am pleased to announce that the frequencies 217.5 to 230 MHz will now be the long-term home for DAB. This removes a major uncertainty for the industry and will give broadcasters, multiplex operators and transmission providers the confidence to invest in new transmission networks and equipment in the knowledge that a move back to the FM band involving further costs will not be required.
Together with the other measures we are taking, this will give further encouragement to the development of DAB which offers the prospect of high-quality reception, even in cars, more services, as well as novel data transmissions involving text, or even pictures, that will enhance the listening experience.