News

WorldDAB is getting set to attend IBC2019. The transition to digital radio in a connected world, and how to adopt a sound radio distribution strategy, will be a major focus for the organisation, which will hold a session titled “Radio Distribution Strategies for a Connected World” on Monday 16 September from 9-10.30 am.

A major Swiss cable network operator have built upon their Factum Radioscape virtualised DAB+ system with the addition of the complementary Observa Monitoring solution. The monitor and analyser software will be hosted on independent industrial PCs in a 1+1 redundancy scheme for complete network assurance.

Public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk has announced its plans to maintain as well as expand its DAB+ presence in the Lower Saxony region in the northwest of Germany, highlighting yet again its commitment to the development of DAB+ digital radio in Germany.

The French regulator CSA has launched a new call for tenders for DAB+ licenses across a number of locations in France. Specifically, the call for tenders concerns the cities and regions of Amiens, Angers, Brest, Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges, Le Mans, Metz, Montpellier, Nancy, Nîmes, Perpignan, Reims, Rennes and Troyes. Interested parties should submit their applications to the CSA by 6 November 2019.

Commenting on the implications of 5G for the development of DAB+ in Europe and beyond, Deutschlandradio's Stefan Raue stated that 5G lacks the required specifications, standards and a suitable business model tailored to support radio broadcasts, highlighting the EECC directive as an indication of the radio industry's future in Germany and Europe.

Viacom has announced the launch of a new MTV radio station on DAB+ in Denmark. The nationwide radio station will be available to DAB+ listeners across the country.

Reflecting on the launch of Austria's national DAB+ services, Gernot Fischer from Radio Technikum touched on the high number of receivers already sold in Austria, Germany and beyond, pointing to DAB+ as the chore future platform for radio, highlighting that 5G would certainly not replace it, but merely act as a complement.

According to Energy Austria managing director Alexander Wagner, the launch of national DAB+ in Austria in May has already benefited the radio station, which has gained new listeners in parts of Austria where Energy is only available through DAB+.

Computer Bild's roundup of the best DAB+ digital radios currently on the market includes the Hama DIR3100 and Roberts Stream 65i.

At IBC 2019, GatesAir will be highlighting its expanded range of DAB Radio transmitters and solutions resulting from the company’s recent acquisition of ONEtastic. The expanded portfolio is anchored by MultiD, a multicarrier DAB transmitter; and a new liquid-cooled VHF range to serve all DAB power levels.