Deadlines and in-car radio
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has previously decided that a 2015 target date for making a digital radio swap is ‘far too early' considering the amount of preparation required.
It is pushing for a digital switchover date only to be announced when no more than 30 per cent of listening remains analogue and when coverage and signal strength issues have been resolved. It also said no date should be set until DAB radios have been standard in cars for a minimum of two years and reliable solutions are offered for retro-fitting cars.
By the end of 2013 all new cars must have DAB radios fitted as standard and Ennals reportedly admitted that the 2015 target is ‘challenging and needs to change'.
"We do believe it is possible to get there in the four- to five-year time period if we see improvement in coverage, digital radio in cars, development in content and technology and a massive communications campaign. We have never done that as an industry all at the same time," he reportedly added.
Halfords has rolled out a couple of DAB products for the car- the S100 In-Car Digital Radio Adaptor and SB50-DAB digital CD Radio.
Ennals said: "There is now real momentum in the transition to digital radio and the launch of the new Sonichi in-car digital radio from Halfords is a vital step in ensuring that drivers can take advantage of all the benefits. With a fifth of all radio listening in-vehicle, digital radio offers listeners more of what they love - for example music, sport and speech radio stations."
The S100 means users do not have to change their current stereo but the adaptor finds the best signal to receive DAB stations- 36 of which can be preset alongside 4 FM stations. It costs £89.99 including installation and attaches to the car's windscreen with a removable mount.
The Sonichi SB50-DAB radio is a replacement for a car's current system with USB input SD card slot and CD player. It also uses Bluetooth and an external mic so users can hear their hands free calls through the car's speakers. It costs £129.99 and £20 extra for fitting.
