§ Lord Rowlandsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which local authority areas in England and Wales cannot receive a digital radio signal, or can receive only a very poor digital radio signal; and how many of these areas will be able to receive such a signal in 2005, 2006 and 2007. [HL1051]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe information requested is not held centrally. However, the two national multiplexes transmit to about 86 per cent of the population of the UK. In addition, regional and local multiplexes have been awarded to cover 86 per cent of the population, but the build out of transmitters by the broadcasters in each area is not yet complete (the population coverage within a licensed area is currently normally between 70 and 95 per cent). A useful postcode checker for consumers is available from both the BBC and the Digital Development Radio Bureau websites.
Responsibility for future plans to increase areas of reception rests with the broadcasters themselves. The BBC has said that it will increase coverage of its national multiplex to 90 per cent of the population during the life of the next charter.