London - Apr 24, 2012 - London's DAB signal coverage received a boost when double-Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes and broadcaster Colin Murray switched on new digital radio transmitters at the BT Tower. The new DAB transmitters on the London Telecom Tower (formerly the BT Tower) and three elsewhere in London mark the final phase of a two-year long collaboration between broadcasters, multiplex operators, Arqiva, and BT Wholesale to improve DAB transmission in London.

Among the attendees at the event were Ed Vaizey, UK Government minister for culture, communications and creative industries; Tim Davie, the BBC director of audio and music; Stuart Taylor, chief executive of GMG Radio, and Mick Wayman, managing director, London 2012 Olympics Program at BT Wholesale.

Reports say the added transmission facilities will provide DAB coverage for 99 percent of the London road network within the M25, including the Olympic route network. The UK government will not implement digital radio switchover until 50 percent of all radio listening is through a digital platform and DAB coverage reaches 90 percent of the population, including all major roads.