The FM signal of Kent's kmfm radio station has been given a major boost after a high-tech upgrade.

Kmfm is the county's largest independent radio station and is part of the KM Media Group.

Now the resilience and sound quality of its FM signal has been dramatically improved after specialist business internet service provider Beaming installed a cutting-edge fibre optic network.

The 230-mile network connects kmfm's studio in Strood to its eight FM transmitter sites across Kent, enabling the station to deliver a high-quality digital audio signal directly the point of transmission.

The network was built entirely with fibre optic cables and advanced networking technologies, allowing the staion to provide the highest quality FM signal simultaneously to all of Kent in less than a tenth of a second.

The resilience of kmfm's service was enhanced with the installation of a back-up connection that will kick in automatically to ensure service in the event of any potential issues with the primary network.

It comes ahead of BT’s withdrawal of support for X.21 Kilostream services - the analogue circuits that previously carried the station’s signal to its transmitter sites - in March 2020.

Rob Wills, head of broadcast at kmfm, said: "Beaming's network future-proofs us and provides an amazing foundation that allows us to grow and keep improving the service we offer listeners and advertisers.

"We sound amazing now, which from a listener's experience is important and will help boost our audiences. Knowing our network is monitored around the clock and that an automatic back-up connection is in place means we are completely confident because everything is rock solid. Everyone should be looking at this kind of solution to transmission."

Sonia Blizzard, managing director of Beaming, added: "Radio stations across the UK are affected by BT’s decision to withdraw support for X.21 Kilostream, and kmfm is one of the first to move to an all IP, digital workflow to ensure quality and reliability of service."

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent.

Listen to kmfm for regular travel updates.