WorldDAB members at IBC2023: GatesAir
30.08.2023 - GatesAir WorldDAB Member
Ted Lantz, Vice President, Product Line Management for GatesAir
Give us a brief introduction to your organisation and the role it plays in the radio sector
GatesAir is the world’s largest supplier of FM and digital radio transmitters, with a presence in more than 180 countries. In addition to offering world-class service and support from its USA and European offices, GatesAir has built a global channel partner network to provide in-country integration, commissioning, and technical support around the world. GatesAir continues to help broadcasters worldwide upgrade existing FM infrastructure with high-efficiency transmitters that reduce costs, footprint, and maintenance. For digital radio, GatesAir offers complete transmission and networking solutions for all digital radio standards including DAB, DAB+, and HD Radio. GatesAir’s Intraplex Audio over IP family extends GatesAir’s reach into STL, studio-to-studio and remote broadcast networking applications, while also providing monitoring and analytics solutions to optimise performance.
How do you see the digital radio sector evolving in the coming years?
Interest in digital radio services continues to grow in many parts of the world, and we are especially bullish about DAB Radio. While FM service will always be an important part of this business, DAB adoption is here and will continue to proliferate thanks to its exceptional quality and efficiency for programme delivery.
What DAB+ products or services are you showcasing at IBC2023?
We will debut the second generation of GatesAir’s MultiD Series of DAB/DAB+ transmission systems at IBC. The GatesAir Europe engineering team first developed the MultiD series to reduce the costs and infrastructure of per-site multichannel DAB broadcasting. The latest MultiD system design serves four independent DAB/DAB+ channels within a single 1RU chassis, instead of requiring a separate transmitter for each channel plus an external combiner and auxiliary hardware.
The new MultiD system also increases flexibility for broadcasters by making it possible to broadcast four independent DAB radio services across different channel frequencies. Power output per channel can also now be built to each customer’s specifications, allowing broadcasters to establish unique power levels for each service. With such exceptional power output flexibility, MultiD systems are now configurable to serve virtually any combination of power levels for up to four DAB services. The ability to divide system capacity is also useful for MultiD systems that share different tenants – a common occurrence in road tunnels where broadcasters can effectively consolidate resources to ensure consistent coverage of their most important broadcasts.
What are you most looking forward to at IBC2023?
IBC is the place to meet your partners and customers from around the world in one venue over four days. There is no better opportunity for relationship building from a global perspective.
Where can we find you in RAI Amsterdam, and is there a specific contact to ask for?
GatesAir is at Stand 8.C82 in Hall 8. Ask for Keith Adams or Brian Galante