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MBT conference – focus on DAB+

19.05.2021 by WorldDAB

The MBT 2021 conference focused on DAB+ and the future of terrestrial broadcasting

This year's MBT looked at how to run a successful DAB project from the perspective of network operators and broadcaster, and provided an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences related to the deployment of commercial DAB+ services in southern Europe.

Speaking in the keynote session, WorldDAB president Patrick Hannon outlined the current rollout status of DAB+ in the region, where a significant number of countries have already rolled out regular and/or trial DAB+ services. DAB+ is now well established as the core future platform for radio across Europe, with over 90 million receivers sold worldwide and prices starting from as little as 20 euros.

He explained that the key factors driving the growth of DAB+ are:

  • choice – there are now on average six times as many national services on DAB+ as on FM.
  • revenue – DAB+ drives up commercial radio revenues and advertising interest through the growth of national brands; low-cost solutions – DAB+ offers reduced distribution costs and availability of low-cost solutions for smaller stations, allowing local and community stations the possibility of getting on air.
  • the environmental aspect – DAB consumes significantly less energy than FM as pointed by out by a recent BBC study
  • reliability in emergencies – emergency warning has been introduced into DAB minimum specifications which are available now to broadcasters in any market 

According to Hannon, collaboration amongst key stakeholders from across the radio ecosystem is essential to successfully deploy DAB+ digital radio.

Also speaking at the MBT conference was Digital Radio Deutschland’s Carsten Zorger, who stressed the importance of communicating the benefits of DAB+ to broadcasters and consumers, making the most of useful marketing materials such as the DAB+ marketing kit available on the WorldDAB website.

Zorger showed examples of successful DAB+ branding from around Europe, and explained the importance of cross-media marketing including on-air, online and off-air advertising as well as B2B and B2C marketing campaigns.  

Bojan Ramsak from RTV Slovenia outlined the current rollout status of DAB+ in Slovenia and the country’s recent efforts in driving up the communication initiatives related to DAB+. Ongoing activities are to extend coverage in tunnels, add new transmitters and increase ERP on transmitters of the R1 network, and open new tenders for broadcasters interested in filling the R 2 and R3 networks. 

 Key highlights from other countries in the region included: 

  • Romania: there are two national muxes, one for public and one for commercial broadcasters, and broadcasters are waiting for the government to publish a strategy for digital radio by the end of 2021.
  • Serbia: network operator ETV started DAB+ in Oct 2018, with population coverage standing at two million. DAB+ was launched across five new locations in 2020 and further expansion aiming to bring DAB+ to 95% of the population re planned in the near future.  
  • Montenegro: started broadcasting on DAB+ in March 2021 with a temporary licence with population coverage of approximately 30%. A working group has now been established to develop a strategy and regulatory framework for the implementation of DAB+. 
  • Croatia: A DAB+ trial is now operational on 9 sites, covering 88% of the population and 67% of motorways. A tender will be launched soon for a mixed national-regional multiplex, building up the DAB+ network in 3 phases, so as to gradually reach and exceed FM coverage.    
  • North Macedonia: A DAB+ trial is on air in Skopje and thre is a high level of satisfaction with the quality of DAB+ transmissions. There is ongoing work to amend the existing legislation to allow for the development of a national strategy for the rollout of DAB+.

  • Hungary: while there are currently no DAB service in Hungary at this time, space is reserved in the existing infrastructure for a possible restart of DAB+.