DAB Frequency Table
UK Band III Frequency Table
Below is a table of the band III DAB radio frequencies used in the UK. DAB is split into seven channel blocks (Ch), which represent the frequency (MHz).
| Ch |
MHz |
| 11B |
218.640 |
| 11C |
220.352 |
| 11D |
222.064 |
| 12A |
223.936 |
| 12B |
225.648 |
| 12C |
227.360 |
| 12D |
229.072 |
UK Band III Frequency Allocation
DAB services are carried on multiplexes that can hold between 6 and 10 radio services at various different qualities. It is the multiplex that is transmitted on a channel block. The UK currently has 7 channel blocks numbered 11B, 11C, 11D, 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D occupying the frequency range between 217.5 MHz and 230.0 MHz. There is a chance that more Band III spectrum may be allocated within the next 3 or 4 years allowing the use of 5 more channel blocks numbered 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and 11A (209.0 to 217.5 MHz). It is not known whether or not this will take place yet, but at the moment the average audio quality is quite poor in the UK and many local areas cannot be covered due to the lack of allocated spectrum. The BBC National multiplex occupies block 12B in the whole of the UK, while Digital One occupies 11D in England and Wales and 12A in Scotland. The remaining 5 blocks are used for local and regional multiplexes.
UK L-Band Frequency Allocation
L-Band is used, in addition to Band III, for DAB radio in many countries. The UK may start using L-Band from 2007. L-Band will allow space for more services, but it uses a completely different part of the spectrum from Band III that many DAB receivers can't access. L-Band will use from about 1451 MHz to 1491 MHz. There are 23 channel blocks lettered LA, LB, LC through to LW. This may sound like a lot compared to Band III and the UK should use all 23 of them for their services, however, radio waves at such high frequencies don't travel nearly as far as Band III can if identical transmitting power is used and so L-Band will only be practical for small scale local licences and in fact only one or two can be allocated in each area.
Steve's UK Radio & TV Info©, designed and owned by Stephen Ellis.
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