Postponement Threat to Digital Radio Transition in Thailand

DAB and DVB-T2 on the Thai agenda. The challenge is local radio.

The planned transition of radio broadcasting from analog to digital system seems in serious danger of being postponed, with the term of the incumbent broadcasting committee at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission due to expire next year. The optimization of radio frequencies through a broadcasting transition from analog to digital technology is among those key plans, which have been delayed since last year from what was set out under the original Broadcasting Master Plan (2012-16). 

Headwinds against DAB in Western Germany

Media policy experts see no future for DAB+

But public service radio will still invest heavily.

Again North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) troubles digital terrestrial radio. Jürgen Brautmeier, Director of the Media Authority (LfM) and Marc Jan Eumann, NRW secretary of state for Europe and Media, have in the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) advised against pushing for DAB on the regional level. We believe in the diversity of radio which we have in the FM world from local to national in Germany and would like more, but it is not secure with DAB+, said the two. 

FM Band in Sweden Will Open For More Commercial Radio

Commercial 8 year permits from 2018 confirms end of DAB prospects

The telecom authority PTS has been commissioned by the government to revise the frequency plan for analog commercial radio in Sweden. The government is striving to promote competition and diversity for the overall broadcasting sector and wants to give good conditions for a vital commercial radio says the Ministry of Culture. PTS will also look into the possibility of expanded coverage area for commercial radio.

EFTA Might Force Norway to Close DAB Radio

Chaos will be a threat to the scheduled FM closure 2017

There is now a great risk that the EFTA will force the government to dismantle parts of the DAB network which is already bulit. The European Surveillance Authority (ESA) has asked two government ministries to explain of the policy. Certain parts of the radio industry have complained that it has been unreasonably treated by this policy. - It is not unusual that the ESA and the EFTA Court can dismiss a decision by Stortinget (the parliament), says lawyer Per Bjørgan to the daily Dagens Næaringsliv.

Norway Accountable for Unlawful State Aid for DAB Radio

European audit authority now with three DAB cases against Norwegian government.

EFTA Surveillance Authority, ESA, has opened another case against Norway regarding theDAB introduction. With alleged state aid ESA has already concluded that the EU rules have been broken. The case may end up in the EFTA Court. - This time the complaint from an anonymous broadcaster, as revealed in a ESA letter censored at receipt to the Economics Minister Monica Mæland. She must now answer whether the investment in DAB and state-owned NRK's use of three-digit millions in this context means illegal use of tv license funding.

More Terrestrial Digital Radio in New Smartphones

Global standard DVB-T2 might kill DAB in Smartphones

Recently the first smartphone with capability to receive DAB radio was released by the Korean company LG. But there might be a fierce competition in the field of terrestrial digital radio as there are other smartphones able to receive digital radio and television worldwide via DVB-T2 and for Japan and South America via ISDB-T.  Radio broadcasting using DVB-T2 Lite is three times more efficient than DAB+ on the same channel bandwidth in VHF Band III.

Compact FM Transmitter Launched

Improved FM broadcasting for robust requirements

Bext’s new XL 6000 is the latest compact FM solid-state transmitter from the company’s XL Series line of broadcast equipment to be presented at the NAB show in Las Vegas April 16-21 2016. In a height of four rack-spaces it packs 6 kW of power and many features for today’s broadcasters. The company says that reliability even in challenging environments is ensured by use of the latest generation or nearly indestructible rugged chips. 

Smartphone With DAB+ Not For Telecoms

Mobile operators probably not subsidising smartphones with DAB+.

The company Telefónica Germany (O2 / e plus) will not offer smartphones that include digital terrestrial radio via DAB+. As Helge Lüders, Manager Radio Network Strategy confirmed by Telefónica Germany, at a symposium of the Media Authorities in Berlin. DAB+ lacks a business model which paying the costs. O2 will continue to rely on the willingness of its customers paying for Internet radio listening on smartphones and tablets for data volume as soon as they are off Wi-Fi networks. (Satnews)

Another Swiss Radio Station Leaving DAB

Zurich station my105 withdraws from DAB + 

The Swiss radio station my105 in Zurich decided for strategic reasons to completely rely on online and thus to dispense with the terrestrial broadcasting via DAB + in the German-speaking Switzerland. Many discussions, experience and surveys of recent months have shown that "DAB-proliferation is overrated". In the case of my105 still would mean that DAB+ is not useful for the radio station with its 10 channel multi-channel strategy. At least three commercial radio stations have now abandoned DAB+ since 2014.

Also read: Swiss Commercial Radio Station Leaving DAB+

New Smartphone A Lifebuoy for DAB

A paradox: Can a smartphone online get five-to-twelve-rescue for DAB?

The first smartphone that can also receive DAB radio in addition to FM and online was presented at the Radio Days conference in Paris launched its first. LG Stylus 2 is really a "phaplet"- which in size is something between a mobile and a plate. On this one you should be able to listen seamlessly to hybrid radio - a radio channel that automatically switches between DAB + or FM and Internet depending on varying reception conditions. But experts are wondering whether there is a sufficient market for this because DAB is only in operation in few countries on a global scale.

Public Service in Austria Rejects DAB Radio

A move may jeopardize the medium of radio says the the director general

Photo: derStandard.at

Public service company ORF has no interest in DAB + according to the media authority KommAustria. If we cannot increase program output DAB is useless to us, says ORF Director-General Alexander Wrabetz. ORF With current legal regulations ORF will not be able to establish more channels, DAB+ has not been successful in any European country, and the technology behind DAB+ is 30 years old. There are 15.5 million FM receivers in Austria, making a transition difficult and a forced solution can compromise the radio medium. This was the basic criticism Wrabetz has submitted to KommAustria. Further for ORF, a transition cost for parallel operation DAB+ and FM another EUR 50 million per year, says the public service boss.

Historic U.S. Radio Division Up For Sale

A recognition that terrestrial radio is no longer a growth industry

CBS plans to sell one of its legacy brand CBS Radio. We will begin to explore strategic options, CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves announced today during the company's investor day. The move represents a recognition that terrestrial radio is no longer a growth industry, particularly as major advertisers shift their spending to digital platforms according to Los Angeles Times.