DAB – just an in-car option

The Ford Motor Company, although a shareholder in MXR Digital, plans to offer DAB Digital Radio in three models from later this year – but only as an option.

For the not insignificant upgrade cost of £300, future owners of new models of the Ford Focus, Ford C-MAX and Ford Kuga will be able to order their car with a Sony digital receiver.

While is expected to remain only an option for most Ford cars in the near future, one model – the Ford Kuga Titanium – will come with DAB as standard.

Car manufacturers traditionally require a very long lead-time to introduce new features and costs of DAB car units remain relatively high.    This step by Ford may be a small step in the right direction for DAB, but it seems that the important in-car radio listener market will continue to rely on AM and FM as their main means of radio reception for the immediate future.

Insight Radio for national DAB ?

Glasgow’s Insight Radio broadcasts on 101FM, from an Anniesland based transmitter, and is available throughout the UK and Europe via satellite.

The station is now reported to be in talks with DAB multiplex operators with a view to securing space on that terrestrial digital platform. This could be a national DAB network or a series of local DAB networks.

It has also been reported that the station will launch on Freesat next month.