Aldred Dreyer, chairman of the DRM South Africa Group, spearheading the development, roll-out and promotion of DRM radio, says the trial will commence which follows the granting of a trial license by communications regulator Icasa. The DRM+ trial will be conducted from a high site in Northcliff, Johannesburg, using spectrum in the FM band, according to a report in TechCentral. Dreyer plans to approach the SABC’s technology division to gauge interest in joining the trial. One of the conditions of the trial is that we can’t do commercial promotion. We can create awareness, demonstrate the technology and explain what listeners will need – but we can’t say, ‘We’re live, go buy a receiver.’ - Read more here about the trials which are planned to start on World Radio Day February 13.
Initial trial participants include Hot 102.7FM and Radio Pulpit, with the organisers actively inviting other broadcasters – particularly community radio stations – to participate. The license allows for an eight-month trial, with the option to extend it by a further six months if needed.
While South Africa has experimented with DRM before, This trial is different from earlier tests, which focused largely on coverage modeling and transmitter performance. “This time, we want to test the features,” Dreyer said. Key use cases to be demonstrated include:
- Emergency warning systems, one of DRM’s flagship capabilities;
- Distance learning and data services.
- Multi-channel broadcasting, where a single transmitter can carry multiple digital radio signals within one frequency slot; and
- Energy efficiency, with detailed measurements of actual power savings compared to analogue FM.
DRM’s ability to carry multiple services on a single transmitter is of particular interest to signal distributors. The trial will also examine how digital radio’s interactive features can be integrated into broadcasters’ day-to-day operations – from workflows to audience engagement and new content formats.
One of DRM’s most compelling advantages in South Africa is its ability to operate in the guard bands between existing FM stations. FM spectrum in Gauteng is very populated – so much so that Icasa once issued a moratorium on new FM licenses, said Dreyer. With DRM, you can slot a digital service between existing FM services without causing interference.
Like Indonesia South Africa has formally adopted a dual-standard approach, allowing both DRM and the competing technology DAB. DRM works across multiple frequency bands and is ideal for community stations or commercial operators targeting specific metros. DRM works in long wave, medium wave, shortwave, FM and VHF Band 3, said Dreyer. That flexibility is why the department [of communications & digital technologies] mandated both standards, says Dreyer to TechCentral.
South Africa is following the path of other populous nations in order to use the DRM system for digital audio broadcasting in the AM and FM bands (lower than 108 MHz). Here India is the leading nations followed by China, Pakistan and Indonesia. Still, the DAB system have not reach any acceptance in these nations. Outside Europe DAB is only established in Australia. where like most other countries analogue switch-off not on the agenda. Digital broadcasting will be a complement to AM and FM.
The DRM and DAB technologies are invented and developed by European companies.
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South African digital radio trial is about to go live (TechCentral)
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Also read
One Nation, One Standard – DRM for Digital Radio Broadcasting in the FM Band in India.
Radio Industry Urges Indian Government to Opt for DRM For Digital Radio
Terrestrial Digital Radio To Complement AM and FM in South Africa