Radio Data System (RDS)-the planning and implementation of a new broadcast service (using high reliability systems)

It was decided that the features chosen must be of maximum benefit to the listener and yet be a minimum cost to the BBC so the following features were chosen: Programme Service (PS); Programme Identification (PI); Alternative Frequency (AF); Other Networks (ON); and Clock Time (CT). Two major problems presented themselves at this stage: the enormous quantity of transmitter sites requiring RDS encoder installations and the complexity of the BBC network system involving national, regional, local and community radio, many of which are `opt-out´ services. After careful study of the size of the work required, it was decided to carry out the introduction of RDS in two phases. Phase 1 would provide coverage in England on all network and all local radio transmissions. This phase involved the installation of 98 RDS encoders at 48 sites, and gives approximately 75% population coverage. Phase 2 would be N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales