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DAB is an abbreviation for Digital Audio Broadcasting – a ground breaking development in media broadcasting which broadcasts sound waves digitally. This means that people can now enjoy superior quality digital sound that is free from those irritating crackles and hisses that had for long been the bane of regular radio services. A DAB radio station can also broadcast a huge number of channels in the same single area of airspace that is used for one FM station, thereby giving the users a wider choice in entertainment. Ranging from R ‘n’ B to rock, country to classical, jazz to hip-hop, talk shows to trance, as well as news, and live commentary for sports enthusiasts, DAB radios give their listeners a much wider array of choices than FM and AM radio broadcasters.

A group of broadcasters and manufacturers first developed a DAB radio in the 1990s and in 1995 the BBC became the first broadcaster to transmit DAB in the UK. The following year, Digital One received the first commercial license and they achieved nearly 60 per cent coverage of the UK. After seven years, Digital One was able to cover nearly 85 per cent of the UK with stations including Virgin, One Word and Classic FM. Between the years 2000 and 2004, the UK regulator Ofcom awarded nearly 35 regional and local licenses throughout the UK. For the first time, most of the nation could receive regional, national and local stations.

A DAB radio not only offers you double the number of radio stations compared to a regular AM or FM radio tuner, but also the digital device enables you to enjoy your favourite stations in superior digital sound quality. This means no crackles and hisses, just an exceptional musical experience every time you switch on your radio. It also offers you easy tuning. Once you purchase a DAB radio, you never have to move the dial to locate your favourite stations again. All you need to do is select the name of the station on the display screen and the digital radio auto-tunes itself to that particular station. DAB radios come with an LCD screen which displays the details about the music and station you are listening to. There are also a few DAB radios that allow you pause, record and rewind live radio programmes. So no matter how busy you are, you never have to miss your favourite programme.

DAB radios are available in a variety of sizes. From a large and impressive radio that would look great on display to a sleek portable radio that would snugly fit into your pocket – DAB gives you all the options and benefits that you might expect from an advanced digital device.