To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of digital radio usage has been measured in the last three years; whether they plan to increase the ability to receive digital radio signals; and what is their assessment of the quality of such reception. [HL2250]

Digital radio usage is monitored daily and reported on every quarter by Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR). Its report for Q4 of 2009 showed that around 20 per cent of all radio listening is currently via a digital platform.

Digital radio broadcasting across the UK currently reaches 90 per cent of the population and this percentage continues to increase. However, new investment will be required to build and improve DAB coverage and reception. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be working with the BBC and commercial operators to ensure that coverage is comparable to FM by the end of 2014.

In a recent survey, more than 7,000 people were asked what they thought of how digital radio sounds. More than 75 per cent said that it was already as good as or better than FM.