The new AAC+ audio codec for DAB, which enables more stations to be carried on a DAB digital radio multiplex, will be called DAB+, it has been announced. Marketing materials designed to help consumers identify DAB+ on receivers compatible with the additional audio codec are being developed by WorldDMB.

The new codec is based on MP4 compression; currently DAB digital radio stations are broadcast in the UK using technology based on MPEG Audio Layer II (MP2) technology.

Many countries other than the UK have opted to launch digital radio broadcasts using the DAB+ standard as it is more efficient and gives better audio quality using less bandwidth (i.e. lower bitrates). Therefore, more stations can broadcast on each multiplex as each takes up less space than a station broadcasting in the original DAB standard.

Whilst there are no plans to broadcast stations in the UK using anything other than the existing DAB standard, the new second national commercial multiplex is planned to broadcast downloadable podcasts in the newer DAB+ standard.

If the UK were to switch to the new DAB+ standard, this would benefit the BBC's national services, several of which continue to broadcast in mono due to lack of space on the multiplex. The benefits of DAB+ are less clear-cut for commercial broadcasters, as the number of stations broadcasting on DAB could simply be increased to such an extent that any audio quality gains through use of the DAB+ standard are offset by such an increase.

We will see more and more receivers being launched that can be upgraded to the DAB+ standard via a firmware upgrade, which is ported across to the radio via a USB cable. Manufacturers will make a charge for this type of firmware upgrade. Please note that such upgrades are not currently available.

This means that manufacturers can produce receivers for a worldwide market and consumers will be able to take their digital radios abroad and, with the firmware upgrade, ensure they can still pick up stations broadcasting in their destination country.