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Topics on the agenda included the benefits of DAB+ radio for broadcasters and consumers, the challenges and opportunities presented by in-car DAB+, hybrid radio, 5G and the significant progress that DAB+ has made in France over the last few months.

This article gives a detailed overview of DAB+ in Europe, with particular focus on the development of digital radio in Italy. It highlights some of the challenges and opportunities presented by DAB+, as well as emphasising the Italian receiver law that will require all receivers sold starting from 2020 to include built-in DAB+ capabilities.

The two-day workshop focused on the challenges, goals, and priorities for digital transformation within the organisation, including how to further expand the reach of DAB+ to 80% of the Czech population.

The new DAB+ stations - which include Klassik Radio, Radio Energy, Arabella Plus and Rock Antenne - will be launched as part of the nationwide launch of DAB+ in Austria on 28 May 2019. By 2020, it is estimated that 83 percent of the Austrian population will be covered by DAB+.

The DAB+ network in Austria is set to expand in 2019 with the launch of the new multiplex due to take place in May. The first set of the expansion will see almost 60% of the population covered by DAB+, with the following expansions plans in March and September 2020 set to increase that number to 83%.

Some of the topics brought to the table at the European Radio Show in Paris concerned DAB+ digital radio, which has now taken off in France, with two sessions entirely dedicated to it. A Volkswagen Touareg SUV equipped with a DAB+ Crooner Radio device was on display at the show.

Sangean has released two new DAB+ radios on the market - the WR-7 and DDR-7. Both receivers, which are part of Sangean's mini series, are now available from select retailers for 89 and 139 euros respectively.

Sonoro has been awarded the Plus X Consumer Electronics Audio brand of the year award for 2019. This marks the third time Sonoro has picked up this award after 2016 and 2018.

Factum Radioscape's ENMUXA will be the first DAB+ head end system in the Thailand. The redundant encoding, multiplexing and monitoring system is currently being installed in Bangkok and is expected to go on air in coming weeks.

40 applications were submitted to the CSA in November 2018 following the regulator's call for tenders, with a total of 24 places due to be available for broadcasters across the two national multiplexes expected to launch in early 2020. The CSA is due to announce its decision on 20 February 2019.