After a wait of more than a year, the latest radio technology has arrived in Brighton and Hove.
The new digital audio broadcasting (DAB) transmitter has been located on an existing mast at Whitehawk Hill, overlooking Brighton Racecourse.
The switch-on is good news for people who already own brand new DAB radios.
Until now, they had to rely on long-distance reception from transmitters in the London area, with some people using special aerials to boost the signal.
Quentin Howard, chief executive of Digital One, which owns and operates the network, said: "The delay in the Brighton switch-on has resulted in more complaints and inquiries than any other transmitter site in Britain.
"It has been particularly frustrating for DAB radio owners and, although the site only went live in the past few days, we have already been getting positive feedback."
The roll-out in Brighton and Hove was hit by problems, both here and abroad.
Mr Howard said: "It has been a long, frustrating process. It was the French who held things up at first, checking our radio stations were not going to cause interference across the Channel.
"Once the French had finally agreed, we hit problems getting the necessary planning permission."
DAB technology promises a number of benefits over existing radio systems, inc-luding sound quality almost as good as CD, new stations and multimedia material.
Digital One broadcasts ten stations to more than 80 per cent of the UK population.
More than 150,000 people can listen to stations like Classic FM, Virgin Radio and talkSPORT and seven brand new stations in digital sound quality.
Digital One's transmitters reach more 46 million people across Britain.
By the end of this year, there will be almost 310 digital radio stations in the UK, some existing stations broadcasting in better quality sound, others providing niche programmes.
Brighton and Hove listeners will be able to tune in to classic rock channel Planet Rock and the award-winning Oneword, a channel devoted to plays, books and comedy.
Digital One also broadcasts PrimeTime Radio, run by the Saga Group and targeting people over 50, ITN's rolling news service and the Bloom-berg Radio business and finance channel.
The city launch coincides with digital radios becoming both more affordable and accessible.
VideoLogic has a home tuner for less than £299, and car audio manufacturers such as Blaupunkt, Pioneer and Grundig are all offering in-car digital radios at affordable prices.
In the second half of this year, a new range of digital radio products will be available from mass market manufacturer Goodmans for between £100 and £200.
Digital radio was developed by an international group of radio experts called the Eureka 147 consortium.
It works by using compression techniques to transform the source material, music, speech and data, into digital computer code before it is stored and transmitted.
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