The UK commercial radio sector has welcomed the bits of 'Digital Britain' relevant to it, and in particular the government's renewed commitment to the digital audio broadcasting network, which has been flagging somewhat of late as numerous digital-only commercial services closed down.
The report said the government had a "pivotal role in securing... certainty" about the platform - which some have been predicting would falter before ever really getting established, to be taken over by internet-based radio technologies. Certainty is needed, of course, to encourage consumers to buy DAB radio sets and commercial players to invest in digital services.
The report also set a target for a digital radio switchover - ie when analogue radio services would be phased out forcing us to all go digital. The report says that there should be 50% take up of DAB and that the DAB network should have similar coverage to FM before that happens - but that it's hoped that might be the case by 2015.
Responding to the commercial radio sections of 'Digi Brit', the boss of RadioCentre, which represents commercial radio companies, told reporters: "For radio to flourish in the digital age we require a digital strategy and, on first inspection, we are encouraged that 'Digital Britain' sets out a clear roadmap for our industry's future. Clearly, implementation of that roadmap is now a priority for RadioCentre alongside all the industry stakeholders".
He continued: "We think that 'Digital Britain' is right to identify a target date of 2015 to upgrade our sector to digital radio whilst also recognising the importance of meeting key criteria to trigger switchover and the need for intervention to drive the behaviour of manufacturers, the motor industry and other stakeholders. This will enable our members to plan and invest for their future; we now have a firm consensus that digital is the route forward for radio's future".