Gibraltar - May 8, 2012 - The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) has signed a contract worth around $1.5M withArqiva in the United Kingdom to provide a digital broadcasting network in Gibraltar. The network will comprise two digital television multiplexes and two digital radio multiplexes. On each television multiplex Gibraltar will be able to transmit up to six distinct programs. Each digital radio multiplex allows for four distinct programs.

The transmitters will be located at a single site on the Upper Rock, thus minimizing the environmental impact of the antenna and support structures, which will replace the two television broadcasting sites of Signal Hill and O'Hara's Battery.

The digital broadcasting network will be operational by Dec. 31, 2012, allowing Gibraltar to meet its international obligation to cease its analog television transmissions by that date. Unlike the change-over to digital television, there are no plans to convert FM radio to digital.

The contractor, Arqiva, provides much of the infrastructure behind television, radio, satellite and wireless communications in the UK.