Arqiva Completes Major Overhaul Of UK Digital Radio Platform

Arqiva, the UK's leading communications infrastructure and media services company, has completed a multi-year upgrade of the systems supporting commercial digital radio nationwide, moving all 62 DAB multiplexes and over 1,000 radio services onto its Central Coding & Multiplexing System (CCMS).

The programme modernises one of the world's most complex DAB networks, creating a more resilient and efficient foundation for future service development while reducing operational risk.

Dom Wedgwood, Chief Technology Officer, Arqiva, said: "Digital radio remains a critically important platform for broadcasters and listeners across the UK, and this programme represents one of the most significant transformations of our radio infrastructure in recent years.

"Completing the migration of all 62 multiplexes and more than 1,000 services onto our new platform strengthens the resilience and future-readiness of the UK's DAB network, while delivering substantial improvements in efficiency and sustainability.

"For our radio customers, this means a more robust, efficient and future-ready platform for the services they rely on us to deliver every day. It demonstrates how targeted investment in our technology can modernise essential communications infrastructure, reduce environmental impact and create a strong foundation for the future of digital radio services."

The transformation consolidates infrastructure previously spread across 13 locations into two centralised sites. The entire CCMS estate now fits into seven equipment racks, sharply cutting hardware, power and cooling needs.

Sustainability gains are significant: annual electricity usage has dropped from approximately 1,324 MWh to 168 MWh (an 87% reduction), while estimated carbon emissions have fallen from around 173 tonnes of CO2e to 22 tonnes.

More than 300 studio encoders across 75 sites, 200+ decoders across 100+ network distribution sites and over 100 racks of legacy equipment are being responsibly decommissioned and recycled through certified partners.

www.arqiva.com