The idea that analogue radio is going to be switched off any time soon is a complete joke. Kip Meek, from Ofcom is reported to have said that with analogue TV being switched off somewhere between 2010 and 2012, radio should follow suit soon thereafter. Not a hope.
Firstly, if you think analogue TVs can last a while, with lifespans of upwards of 10 years, then radios last vastly longer. You could still be using a radio built in the twenties if you wanted. Secondly, as has been widely pointed out, if we reach one million DAB digital radios by Christmas, that’ll be precisely 1% of all analogue radios in the country. We’ve got a long way to go then. Thirdly, the technology simply isn’t good enough. Oh it’s fine as an intermediary, but like DTT, the signal is far more prone to breakup, with bridges and tunnels. And if you happen to go indoors, you can see your signal disappear altogether. And only last month, Ofcom announced a raft of new analogue licences which runs for 12 years. The station won’t get on air until 2005, which means that they can stay on until 2017…
As I’ve said before, analogue switch off is a piece of nonsense that no government is going to do any time in the next 10-15 years minimum.
[And speaking of Ofcom, isn’t it funny that people are moaning about London’s numbers changing again since today’s announcement that 020 3 numbers will soon be offered. Let’s just explain it all again – when we last changed, the code for London became 020. The 7 and 8 are just part of the local number. Sadly a lot of people failed to grasp that fact and produced signs and stationary with 0207 xxx xxxx etc. Sorry – but you were in the wrong at the time!]