The coverage area of the upcoming Exeter small-scale digital radio network will be 50% larger than initially planned. ExeDab, the local partnership selected by broadcast regulator Ofcom to administer the service, will now construct a three-transmitter network instead of the two originally planned. The service will reach 135,000 people in the area, up from the 88,000 originally projected, thanks to transmitters in the city center at Exeter College, the north of the city at Hilltop Riding School, and East Devon at Cranbrook Educational Campus.

For the first time, community stations Phonic FM and Riviera FM will be available on digital radio, and Devon commercial station Radio Exe will be upgraded to a high-quality stereo digital service to match its FM stereo output. “The connections we’ve developed with Exeter College, the Ted Wragg Trust, and Hilltop Riding School have allowed us to plan a network with far larger reach than we planned,” says ExeDab chair Dr David Treharne.

The coverage map we’re releasing today depicts the area with the best inside reception. The coverage is significantly better outside. “Exeter is a dynamic city that we have the honor of serving. We’ll make it easy for folks to broadcast to at least 135,000 people in the area.” This summer, the service is planned to begin. Anyone interested in starting a DAB digital radio station in Exeter should visit exedab.com and complete the online form.