National Grid Wireless to lead a bid for new national digital radio multiplex

21 November 2006

National Grid Wireless has today announced its intention to lead a bid for the second national digital radio multiplex, which is due to be advertised by Ofcom later this month. The second national digital radio multiplex will serve most of the UK and is expected to launch in 2008.

National Grid Wireless has a wealth of experience and expertise in the area of digital and analogue radio – it developed and deployed the BBC’s DAB network, it operates 9 of the 11 national radio networks and it has invested in a number of trials looking at the future of digital radio in the UK. The company believes that if successful it can provide a ‘neutral host’ role to the radio industry, similar to the one it already provides for digital TV with Freeview.

Tony Moretta, general manager, broadcast, at National Grid Wireless said: "The decision to bid for this licence is based on extensive consultation with the radio industry and we are confident that we can provide an open, non-competitive platform that will enable digital radio to achieve the next stage in its development."

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Notes to Editors:

About National Grid Wireless

National Grid Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid and is the leading independent provider of infrastructure to the mobile telecommunications operators in the UK.

National Grid Wireless is also one of two UK providers of terrestrial infrastructure for the transmission of analogue and digital television and radio broadcasts in the UK and as such achieves a 98% population coverage. In addition to the traditional analogue services, National Grid Wireless has a strong position in the growing digital television market, owning two of the six digital terrestrial television licences and providing infrastructure services to all the Freeview channels and the BBC and BSkyB.

For further information:

Stephen Arnold
National Grid Wireless
+44 (0) 1926 416 870
+44 (0) 7803 887 288 (m)