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WorldDAB will take the opportunity to update delegates on the latest developments on DAB+ in the Asia Pacific region and around the world, including market updates, in-car digital radio progress, as well as the latest information on how broadcasters are employing broadcast and IP. WorldDAB will hold a DAB+ digital radio workshop on March 4, featuring presentations and discussions from industry experts DAB+ developments.

Driven by an industry trend toward digital radio, the European Parliament last month voted to adopt the new European Electronic Communications Code, which will require all new car radios sold in the EU to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio – in addition to any FM or AM functionality. We take a look at where EU member countries stand with regards to this new directive.

The rollout of DAB+ continues to gain ground across Europe, and the introduction of the new EU directive comes as no surprise to the majority of EU member states including Italy, which has been one step ahead of the curve – and its European counterparts – having previously introduced its own regulations to reflect the growing need for DAB+ in cars. Read about Italy’s seamless transition to DAB+ in the car.

The project, entitled "Digital Radio in Schools", has been launched in support of media literacy in the Czech Republic. Through lectures, presentations and listening experiences, RTI cz s.r.o aims to bring digital radio closer to future generations in technical vocational, technical secondary schools and technical universities.

The new stations added to Glasgow’s small-scale DAB multiplex are Celtic Music Radio, Pride Radio, United DJs, 45 Radio and Visitor Radio. Paisley FM and other Glasgow based community radio stations are also set to join the multiplex in coming months.

The commercial radio industry is joining forces with leading digital radio brand Pure to launch a retail campaign aimed at putting DAB+ radios high on Christmas shopping lists this year. Research conducted in Australia earlier this year shows 21% of radio listeners ‘very or extremely likely’ to purchase a digital radio in the next 12 months.

As announced by the Broadcasting Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia in mid-November, interested parties include local, regional and national private program providers and platform operators.

Following the launch of a new DAB+ multiplex in Wrocław, three new stations have been added to enable digital radio transmissions.

Led by Mr Ndumiso Dana, a delegation of representatives of the South African regulator ICASA, have just completed a tour visiting Germany, Norway, the UK and Australia to discuss digital sound broadcasting and the many and varied aspects of planning to launch permanent services.

Éirdab, operator of the DAB trial in Cork, has welcomed the BAI’s Strategy Statement for 2017-19 to review the potential for digital audio broadcasting, which sets out an undertaking to commission an independent expert review of the future for DAB in Ireland.