News

The Q3 issue of the ABU's Technical Review includes a feature on the DAB adoption process, outlining the formal steps required, including legislation that supports licensing of the use of radio frequency spectrum. The article discusses the roles of the various stakeholders in the adoption process, including Regulators, broadcasters and network and transmission providers, noting that each country has its own preferences. Also outlined are the activities which need to be undertaken including the formation of industry bodies and committees, business case analysis, licensing options and public consultations.

Nicki Shields is the host of the BBC’s FIA Formula E Championship – the electric street racing series – and the anchor for several shows across CNN. This year’s WorldDAB Summit on Nov. 9, 2021 is a live, online event from 10:00-15:00 CET. Part of the line-up includes the findings of a significant piece of global research commissioned by WorldDAB and carried out by Edison Research on what consumers want from their car radio.

Industry body Commercial Radio Australia has welcomed news that Volkswagen Australia has added DAB+ digital radio across most of its model year 2022 vehicle range, including its updated T-Cross SUV and Golf. All Volkswagen passenger and commercial vehicles in Australia will offer DAB+ with the exception of the base model grades of its van and ute range. CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner welcomed the news and said: “The number of new vehicles sold with DAB+ was up by 25% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. This is good news for radio listeners who will benefit from the extra station choice, reliability and ease of use of digital technology.”

The commercial radio sector’s long-standing leader has advised the peak body’s board of her plans to step down early next year, and the recruitment process is now underway for a new CEO. Grant Blackley, chair of CRA, paid tribute to Warner’s “substantial and meaningful impact” on CRA over the past 20 years. “This has included expert policy and regulatory management, a drive to innovate trading and advance the sector’s digital posture, while continually maintaining a focus on the marketing and promotion of the industry to the benefit of members and key stakeholders.”

Digris, a Swiss company that specialises in small-scale DAB, has created a UK business to apply for multiplex licences there. Says Digris: "This distribution concept, known as small-scale DAB, has now established itself throughout Europe. The company’s cost-oriented approach is favourable to media diversity and an open information society. Digris is also a network operator and operates small-scale DAB+ networks as both single-frequency and multifrequency networks in Switzerland and France since 2014."

UK's Ofcom has published the applications received to operate small-scale radio multiplexes in North West England and North East Wales. A total of 30 applications were received for 18 of the areas advertised in Round Two.

Flemish Media Minister Benjamin Dalle has outlined the framework in a zoom meeting with Flemish local radios on Tuesday afternoon in which pilot projects for regional DAB+ will become possible. In the best case scenario, the first trial muxes in Flanders can start on February 1, 2022.

With the national launch of DAB+ in October, commercial radio stations OÜI FM, Latina and others are educating its listeners via its website about DAB+: "82% de la population française pourra écouter OÜI FM en DAB+". Listeners are informed that listening on DAB+ is better sound quality with no interference, is free-to-air, and no longer any need to search frequencies.

Czech Radio will continue to lead the way for DAB+ digital radio in the coming years. After enshrining the public multiplex in legislation, it now wants to focus on strengthening its coverage inside buildings. According to the regulator, the Czech Telecommunication Office, in addition to the public broadcaster DAB+ network, nationwide commercial radio multiplexes will be established, which will complement the regional muxes. Czech Radio aims to obtain further investments in DAB+ by switching off AM.

Radio Austria can now be received via DAB+ in addition to FM, cable and internet. It is the 16th digital radio programme that was switched on in the ORS nationwide DAB+ multiplex. Network operator ORS operates the nationwide multiplex platform for digital terrestrial radio. "We are proud that ORS, as the technical broadcasting partner of private radio stations, is allowed to write the DAB+ success story," said ORS spokesman Michael Weber.