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DAB+ in the UK
For better or worse, as early adopters, all UK DAB transmissions use the original DAB standard. dabonwheels assessment is that it is highly unlikely that significant DAB+ transmissions will commence in the UK before 2020.
The official body, Digital Radio UK, says:
Q: What is DAB+?
A: DAB+ is not currently used in the UK but is an upgraded version of the technology used to bring you DAB digital radio. DAB+ uses exactly the same transmitters and broadcast technology as DAB, it simply converts sound to digital in a different way and therefore requires sets capable of receiving DAB+.
Q: I've read that my DAB radio will become obsolete when DAB+ comes in. Is that true?
A: There are currently no plans for the UK to start using DAB+.
Existing DAB radios will continue to receive all the stations currently broadcasting. It is currently against Ofcom regulations to transmit in DAB+ and so there are no DAB+ stations planned by broadcasters. While there are few DAB+ radios available to buy in the UK, some models do include DAB+ as standard, and more are upgradeable to DAB+ via a firmware download. You can generally check DAB+ capability with the manufacturer.
An international agreement signed earlier this year means that all digital radio technologies within the DAB family will be receivable by one standard radio chip, making it easier for both consumers and manufacturers. This chip, known as ‘Profile 1', is now being built into the digital radios on sale in the UK. Although there are no plans in the UK to switch to DAB+, the Profile 1 chip means that new digital radios are future proof and DAB+ compatible.
Q: Why isn't the UK using DAB+?
A: The benefits to UK radio listeners of DAB+ are relatively marginal, plus the vast majority of the UK’s 11.5 million DAB radio sets would not be able to receive those services. However, DAB+ is compatible with DAB and could, in due course, be introduced alongside existing DAB services.
Other countries are adopting DAB+ simply because they are launching now and it is the most up to date version available to them. DAB+ uses exactly the same transmitters and broadcast technology as DAB, it simply converts sound to digital in a different way and therefore requires sets capable of receiving DAB+. | 
