The advent of digital broadcasting has marked the biggest advance in radio technology since the launch of FM.

It provides digital quality sound and robust reception to listeners equipped with special receivers.

The digital signal will allow text and data, and even still pictures, to be broadcast alongside the audio signal.

BBC World Service can currently be heard in digital on the BBC's DAB multiplex in the UK, on the digital Astra satellite in Europe and on the WorldSpace digital audio satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar in Africa and Asia.

Possibilities for expanding international digital broadcasting are being researched in order to expand availability around the world and the BBC is an active member of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcasters and manufacturers, working to develop a digital standard for short, medium and long wave.

Listeners in the UK can access the World Service via digital television through Freeview, digital satellite and on digital cable.