News

The North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) has announced the expansion plans for 2022 for its own DAB+ transmitter network. The expansion for 2021 will be completed with the activation of transmitters in the Malchin region in December. The full schedule of launches in 2022 has been published on the NDR website, further regions are being planned for expansion from 2023.

Polish small scale DAB network operator DABCOM has launched another test multiplex in the city of Szczecin, north west Poland, putting seven DAB+ radio stations on air. DABCOM also runs DAB+ trial transmissions in Gliwice, Szczawnica and Andrychów. DABCOM aims to soon launch the first regular service DAB+ multiplexes. The Office of Electronic Communications indicated the company as the network operator in the cities of Warsaw, Katowice, Poznań, Częstochowa and Tarnów.

A new study from Germany has showed how digital radio can help broadcasters reduce energy usage. Describing DAB+ as “green radio,” the report says on broadcasting a single service, between 70 and 90 percent of energy can be saved by switching from FM to DAB+. Veit Olischläger, head of technology, media management and public relations at BLM, said: “Climate change is a challenge for all of us. Broadcasting via DAB+ saves up to 90 percent of energy, and regardless of DAB+, the greatest energy saving effects would be achieved just by replacing older FM sets.”

The Bulgarian regulator, CRC, has announced it intends to open a competition for the use of DAB+ in Band III. The relevant documents are being prepared by the CRC within the next two months. At a meeting on 2 December the CRC adopted Decision № 404 of 02.12.2021, formally adopting the results of the public consultation on the prospects for the use of radio frequencies in band III 174 - 230 MHz.

The operator of the Prague multiplex COLOR DAB + has completed the deployment of slideshow for all stations. From Monday, information about the currently played song and the station's logo will be broadcast for all services on the multiplex. "We consider this additional information to be a standard part of DAB+ broadcasting, which should not be missing," said project coordinator Jakub Melín. The radio network is currently in test mode, and plans to go live with regular services from January 2022. The offer also includes also two German radio stations.

At its meeting on 2 December 2021, the Communications Regulation Commission - CRC - adopted the results of the public consultation on the prospects for the use of free resources in Band III, 174-230 MHz. The table with the summarized results of the conducted public consultation for DAB along with the decision will be published soon on the CRC website.

The Medienanstalt Rheinland-Pfalz has decided to carry out a test with regard to DAB+ using alternative technical approaches based on open source software. According to information from radioWOCHE, a total of four applications were received in response to the tender announcement.

The Croatian media regulator Agencija za Elektroničke Medije (AEM) announced on 2 December plans to consider applications for national DAB+ concessions, as well as local DAB+ concessions in Zagreb and nine counties. Applications for the 20-year concessions are due by end 2021. According to a report in the newspaper Glas Istre, AEM believes there is public interest in launching new digital radio services, especially in the Zagreb region.

According to survey findings that were published by RTL on 28 November, 90% of French car buyers say broadcast radio should be standard in every vehicle. According to board member of the CSA Herve Godechot, "It is important to remember that radio is the preferred medium for the French, representing 40 million listeners every day".

A case study on the adoption process for DAB digital radio has won the ABU Technical Review prize for Best Case Study, as announced at this year's ABU General Assembly. The study, by Dr. Les Sabel, entitled "DAB adoption process guide: Investigations and trials" was published in the first edition of the 2021 ABU Technical Review. The article is part of a series of articles being prepared by WorldDAB to assist broadcasters, government regulators and transmission service providers use best practice to plan for the adoption of DAB digital radio. Dr. Sabel, Chair of the WorldDAB Asia-Pacific Technical Group said: "The forthcoming APAC Technical Group meeting on 9 December 2021 will continue to explore DAB adoption, specifically DAB+ requirements and allotment planning. We encourage you to register and attend."