There has been lots of discussion in recent years about the rise of DAB+ and potential 'switching off' of DAB. But what is the difference between DAB and DAB+ and what do radio listeners need to know about the changes?
What is DAB?
DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting.
Introduced in the 1990s, DAB radios provide hiss- and crackle-free listening.
It's unclear what the future of DAB is, but major radio stations are already switching across to DAB+ so it's likely this trend will continue. The date is unclear, but in the early 2030s it's likely that DAB will be switched off.
What is DAB+?
DAB+ is essentially an upgrade of DAB, three times as efficient so it can carry many more stations and at much higher audio quality. It provides better sound quality and offers more stations for you to listen to, so is unequivocally a better option when considering the future of radio.
It uses the same transmitters and most broadcast on both, but there are now over 180 stations broadcasting on DAB+ in the UK, including 19 national stations.
Not every station broadcasts in DAB+ yet, but it is a handy feature to have to ensure you get the best signal in the future. Plus, you need to make sure if your radio is DAB+ enabled to keep listening – otherwise, you can just switch to FM to continue listening. If you're in the market for a new radio, check out our guide on how to choose the best radio for your budget.
In January 2024, Classic FM – among other radio stations – upgraded from DAB to DAB+.
Where do you listen? If you're a fan of listening to the radio while you cook, have a look at our round-up of the best kitchen radios on the market.
It's not just traditional radios that carry DAB and DAB+: you can also get internet radio and DAB inbuilt into hi-fi systems and some record players. Follow our guide on how to build a budget hi-fi system for your home.
