Italy Makes a Strategic Investment in 5G Broadcast

The government's vision is inclusive and innovative. 

The Ministry of Commerce & Innovation is taking initiatives to redefine the future of terrestrial digital television broadcasting. With a €5 million commitment, Italy will promote the development of 5G Broadcast technology, an innovative standard that brings media directly to mobile devices – no SIM card or subscription required. This move is believed to represent a major change in how we think about television, how content becomes more accessible and flexible for users.

DRM Advantage for Terrestrial Digital Radio in Italy and India

DRM30 considered for medium wave broadcasters in Italy. 

On the occasion of the centenary of Italian radio, OMItaliane , the association representing Italian mediumwave broadcasters, has announced its intention to use the advanced DRM technology for broadcasting in the AM bands. Currently, local Italian broadcasters transmitting in analogue mode are using medium- and low-power AM transmitters for broadcasting to specific regional communities. According to Italian statistics cited by OMItaliane, 75% of radio listening takes place in cars, with about 25 million vehicles in Italy equipped with AM radios. - Thanks to the intervention of OMItaliane, medium waves usage opportunities are being discussed in the technical committee convened by the Italian Communications Authority.  In these meetings OMItaliane is recommending AM broadcasting using the DRM standard.  This is particularly relevant for all those Italian radio stakeholders focused on the enhancement of medium waves through the use of a global, green and energy efficient standard as DRM. 

5G Broadcast Now Also by Satellite

Tests indicates a bright future for global broadcasting

Until now the 5G Broadcast system has been applied for terrestrial radio and television broadcasting in the UHF-band but now it is also going satellite.

Astrum Mobile and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. jointly completed the world's first 5G Broadcast technology trial utilizing a GEO satellite. Utilizing Asiastar which is strategically positioned to reach the entire Asia Pacific region we were able to demonstrate capabilities of 5G Broadcast as defined in ETSI TS 103 720 as a full profile of 3GPP specifications, according to Astrum.

FM Radio Winner In Public Service Consultation

Requirement for DAB expansion for public radio is not supported in Sweden. Mandatory FM receivers in new cars are welcomed.

Although the proposal to replace FM with DAB was firmly rejected by the parliament in 2016 the issue is still on the agenda in Sweden. However, the analogue FM network consolidates its continued strong position in the media landscape according to the now concluded consultation regarding public service broadcasting. 

The government's expert authority, the Post and Telecommunications Board (PTS), agrees with the committee's conclusion that no requirement should be introduced for public radio Sveriges Radio’s to expand DAB broadcasting. Civil society organizations for local radio and television see serious consequences for community radio if SR abandons the FM band for DAB. It is only commercial broadcaster Viaplay that wants SR to expand and broadcast in the DAB network. In several opinions, it is welcomed that, as in Finland, requirements for FM receivers in new cars should be introduced.

- Here is an overview of the consultation responses regarding FM and DAB:

European Market Players Join For 5G Broadcast Smartphones

Receiver profile for Europe released for review
The European 5G Broadcast handset taskforce, gathering EBU and BNE members, meets a major milestone for the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast terrestrial radio and television reception functionality in Europe.

In an aim to drive the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast reception in Europe, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE), with the support of Qualcomm Technologies, have formed a working group to establish a common receiver profile for 5G Broadcast.

5G Broadcast Radio And Tv Summer Tests In France

Terrestrial radio and television reaching out on smartphones

France is among 20 countries where 5G Broadcast terrestrial digital radio and television (DTT) is being tested. During the Olympics and throughout this summer, TDF allows users to test smartphones equipped with a chip specially configured for this test. In the areas covered by the experiment (Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux), they can watch the France 2, France 24 and Arte public television channels on these phones, while on the move, but also listen to public radio France Bleu and France Info.

France is emerging as a significant test bed for 5G Broadcast, with hundreds of mobile phones available in hands of experts and consumers. Karim El Naggar, general manager of audiovisual and networks at the TDF group: We plan to make DTT accessible on mobile within three years, and thus meet the needs of younger people in terms of content consumption. We are delighted to collaborate with various publishers, including France Télévisions, for this live test which underlines our commitment to maintaining DTT and spreading its service offering to a wider audience.

DRM Becoming the Major Digital Radio Platform in Asia

(picture: Redtech.pro)

China reaffirms need for digital audio in all domestic cars

After securing the huge Indian broadcasting market the digital terrestrial radio system DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) now is strongly positioning itself  in the Chinese domestic market. This will leave DAB  -the other European system - further far behind on the global market.  

According to RedTech.pro the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly met specifically on the provision of audio and video in cars. NRTA and MIIT promoted the inclusion of digital receivers with DRM (and the domestic system CDR) in all domestically produced and imported vehicles to be sold on the domestic market. Last year in their joint letter the Chinese authorities also expressed the intention to accelerate the construction of digital radio broadcasting coverage networks with digital AM broadcasting (DRM) transmission systems at local medium wave transmission stations. 

DAB radio without any government support in Sweden

Politicians reject demands for DAB expansion for public broadcaster.  FM will remain as the major platform for radio.

The Public Service Committee, with representatives from all eight parties in the parliament, has now submitted its final report to the Minister of Culture. On many issues there was disagreement between the government side and the opposition, however, not regarding the question of a DAB expansion for public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR). All parties remained cold-hearted to break a 30-year stalemate regarding the DAB system as an alternative to terrestrial FM radio. Now, this might be the beginning of an end for DAB in Sweden. The public service channels have more than a 65 percent share of the radio audience. 

First Terrestrial 5G Broadcast Opens to General Public in Boston

5G Broadcast experimental  FCC licences in the US

XGen Network ( XGN), a network operator for US 5G Broadcasting TV stations, has announced the launch of the first solution for the general public to receive an over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal on an SDR (software defined radio) with downloadable software. The SDR software will enable, to begin with ham radio operators, the ability to receive WWOO’s Boston over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal.