With Hong Kong’s DAB transmission network coming into full operation, the region’s geographical DAB service now covers approximately 70% of the island and the Kowloon peninsula.

Speaking at the DAB transmission network launch in June, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Gregory So said “for the four public and commercial DAB operators to complete the construction of all major transmission stations of the transmission network, soon after the launch of DAB service, is an achievement indeed.”

Hong Kong’s DAB transmission network comprises seven transmission stations located at Beacon Hill, Golden Hill, Cloudy Hill, Kowloon Peak, Castle Peak, Mount Gough and Lamma Island, while reception in some individual areas may not be completely stable due to the effects of terrain. “Apart from the completion of the seven transmission stations, the four operators are planning to build gap-filler stations,” said So. “Four gap-filler stations will be completed in phases from the end of this year to early next year, further expanding the signal coverage.”

In the meantime, he said, the Office of the Communications Authority had given approval for DAB operators to temporarily increase their transmission power. “We cannot increase the transmission power indefinitely, since excessive transmission power will interfere with television broadcasting services in the Mainland and necessitate coordination,” he said. “More importantly, the present reception problems are mainly due to obstruction by terrain and buildings.”

Thus far, 13 of the total 18 DAB channels have been formally launched or soft launched.