News

Jamm FM, the local broadcasters for Ouder-Amstel has begun broadcasting via DAB+.

DAB+ digital radio is now also spreading in Eastern Europe. In December 2016, the state-owned LVRTC radio station in Latvia started a DAB+ trial. The trial offers 18 DAB+ programmes.

When buying a new radio, attention should be paid to whether the radio has DAB+, says German radio director Willi Steul. The Federal Ministry of Traffic and Transport (BMVI) has published its digital radio action plan and there will now be a series of discussions with the individual states (Länder), led by Rhineland-Palatinate and BMVI.

The highest trim model includes MediaNav Evolution, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, DAB radio and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

The inside of the new three-door is now far more upmarket, with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen boasting Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring and Ford’s Sync3 digital radio/sat-nav system.

The Latvian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Centre has announced the expansion of the DAB+ reception areas. At the beginning of the DAB+ trial in 2016 the DAB+ coverage zone covered a radius of 40 km around Riga. Now it has increased to 60 kilometers.

Four applications by Digital Audio Broadcasting Platform (DABP), Absolut Digital, Media Broadcast and Radio Digital have been submitted to the German Broadcasting Corporation for the second nationwide DAB+ multiplex.

The Thai regulator NBTC plans to launch digital radio in 2018. DAB+ licenses are to be gradually sold nationwide, regionally and then locally. The first trial DAB+ broadcasts began in Bangkok in March 2013.

If you’re ready to dump your old FM radio and upgrade to a DAB digital radio, then there are plenty of options to choose from. Now that DAB has matured, most places in the UK can benefit from the wider selection of radio stations and crisp sound quality. Radios from manufacturers such as Roberts and Pure are reviewed.

In December 2016, state-owned LVRTC in Latvia started testing DAB+, and anticipates making it a regular operation after one year. The mux ensemble has room for up to 18 radio programs, and LVRTC is active with 11 programs, including five exclusive digital programmes.