Malaysia - Current situation - History
30.09.2014
A DAB+ workshop and trial was organised by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), ABU (Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union) and WorldDMB in Kuala Lumpur in February 2014, a day of field measurements. Field test measuring equipment was set-up to demonstrate to participants the effects of reception in a mobile environment. Various types of DAB+ radio receivers were shown to the participants during the field trip to show the performance of a receiver and its ability to playback text and images.
A proposal and recommendation paper is now being prepared by RTM for submission to the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia for consideration of DAB+ as a Digital Sound Broadcasting system for Malaysia.
01.10.2013
Since the launch of its first pilot DAB+ trials in late 2009 in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, there is no decision yet on the time line for the implementation of digital radio and broadcasting services in Malaysia. Currently, the sole DAB+ equipment (from head-end to transmitter) are owned and operated by the public broadcaster, Radio TV Malaysia (RTM).
In February 2013, RTM invited local agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), various members of the local radio industry and Telecoms Malaysia to a joint field trial study. Some elements of the field trials included identifying minimum reception figures for in building reception loss, minimum figures for acceptable mobile reception and speed tests.
Considering the conservative power of the trial DAB+ transmitter of 1 kW, the results of the field trial looks promising and are in line with figures already established by the ITU and in broadcasting agencies in Australia.
Currently 15 FM radio programs are made available on the DAB+ platform, nine from RTM and six from the commercial radio stations.
Efforts are now underway to study/familiarise staff with other aspects of the DAB+ system such as adding Slideshow (SLS) and text (DL) in order to maximize the full potential of DAB+. Therefore, Malaysia is still currently at a stage of gaining familiarity, experience and confidence with DAB+ technology.
08.03.2013
In June 2010, Malaysia’s regulator, the MCMC awarded three blocks of L Band spectrum to Asia Media, a broadcasting, advertising and digital media company. Asia Media will use the spectrum to broadcast up to twelve T-DMB channels, including radio and data services, as well as mobile TV.
Malaysia’s public broadcaster, RTM, launched a DAB+ trial in Kuala Lumpur in 2010. This multiplex carries 15 audio services, all of which are simulcasts of existing FM stations. Commercial Radio Malaysia (a group of private broadcasters) are in discussions with the regulator about policy framework for the adoption of this digital radio platform and the start of a trial.