News

In line with the increased adoption of DAB+ across the MENA region, ASBU invites operators in the broadcast industry - equipment manufacturers, service and technology providers, integrators - to exhibit at this year's event taking place in Tunis.

The French regulator has announced the metropolitan allocations for national DAB+ licences launching in 2020 - available here (110-116) and here (130-146).

The government is launching a review of the radio industry later this year, concluding in mid-2020. The review will take into account the full range of ways people listen to the radio, including analogue, DAB and online listening through apps and smart speakers. Currently, 52% of radio listening is done digitally, with the digital share dominated by DAB radio.

Luxury brand Linley has partnered with British manufacturer Ruark to produce the Tempo Radio, a hand-made DAB/DAB+ radio that comes in four colourways and features a unique design.

DABCOM AG will construct and operate a DAB+ platform in French-speaking Switzerland with a diverse offering of commercial and alternative programming. Switzerland, which already has over 100 radio stations available in DAB+, is planning to switch off FM broadcasting by 2024 at the latest.

Pure, best known for premium DAB+ radios, has released the StreamR, an Alexa-enabled Bluetooth speaker with a built-in DAB+ radio. The StreamR, costs £170 and offers 15 hours of wireless playing time from a full charge.

Polish operator Bcast continues to move forward with the development of DAB+ digital radio in Poland. After the DAB+ implementations in Warsaw and Wroclaw, the company has launched another multiplex in Tricity, the metropolitan area covering Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot.

Denmark becomes the 10th country to sign up to Radioplayer – with the service to be promoted locally as mereRadio. The new collaboration from Radioplayer Worldwide will use Radioplayer technology to enable Danes to access radio stations across the country all in one place. There will be around 60 stations at launch, drawn from across the public service, private, and non-profit sectors.

RTI has announced that it will be hosting a digital radio event titled "Day with digital radio" in Prague on 18 May 2019. The event will take place at the Galerie Vinohradská from 9:00-18.00, and will be held in cooperation with Český rozhlas.

With DAB and DAB+ now widely deployed in different countries and contexts, and with ETSI having revised the DAB standard in 2017, the EBU has presented guidance for DAB network planning, including factors influencing signal levels, uninterrupted coverage in tunnels, receivers in SFN mode and Adjacent Channel Interference.