News

Since the switchover to digital radio has taken longer in many European countries, the idea that Band III could be used for DTT in replacement of UHF frequencies which may no longer be available in the UHF band has risen in popularity. The EBU has issued a guide which explains why Band III cannot replace these frequencies.

Oüi Collector and Radio Life are the latest DAB+ stations to launch in France. Oüi Collector will offer rock, pop, disco, funk, reggae of French and International variety while Radio Life will be aimed at an adult audience, broadcasting international news, national politics, culture and sports.

Frontier Silicon, the market leader in DAB/DAB+ radio and connected audio solutions technology will be showcasing their latest technologies at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair. The Frontier Silicon invite visitors to their demonstration room which will allow visitors to experience the next generation advanced DAB/DAB+ solutions.

RTÉ Radio 1 is to stop transmitting its 252 longwave service from the end of next month as it pushes listeners to FM and digital radio instead. Tom McGuire, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: “This development is an opportunity for the listener to tune in to the varied output of RTÉ Radio 1 in a new way. The availability of the radio service through new digital platforms provides a much improved sound quality and broader access for all programmes. Just as the audience migrated from medium wave to FM in the past, the end of longwave is compensated for by the availability of RTÉ Radio 1 on various digital platforms through the television in your home, the phone in your pocket, the tablet on your lap or the digital radio in your region.”

In Germany, the threshold of no return seems now reached. While Sweden is planning a transition from FM to DAB by 2022, Germany should follow logically 2025. Elsewhere in Europe, the coverage rates are sky high and sale of digital receivers now in the wind stern.

This year's event will discuss the continued growth of DAB/DAB digital radio across Asia Pacific, Europe and beyond. The programme will also focus on global market development and share latest reports on the adoption of DAB/DAB within the automotive industry.

British company, Ruark Audio, has announced a new version of its iconic R1 DAB radio. Features include DAB, DAB+, FM and Bluetooth to stream music from smartphones, tablets and computers. It is also one of only a handful of new models with the recently introduced ‘digital radio tick’ accreditation

The discount chain has now expanded its range of DAB+ radios to seven models retailing from 40 euros.

DAB radio has got so much better nowadays, especially in the car. I remember the signal on my husbands old window mounted DAB from the noughties used to break up when we went into town and defeated the whole object, but nowadays signal strength has improved immensely with so many great channels to choose from depending on your location. You will need a DAB aerial for your receiver and there's two options, either the screen mounted or the magnetic roof mounted antenna. If you go through numerous windscreens on the motorway like I do, I'd recommend the roof mounted choice.

Infographics developed by WorldDMB report that from 2008 - 2013; over 1.6 million DAB+ receivers have sold in Australia; 1.5 million in Switzerland; nearly 1.2 milion in Norway, but over 20 million throughout the U.K.