European Commission Likely to Stop State Aid for DAB

EU Court Confirms Decision on Recovery of Spanish State Aid to Digital Terrestrial Television

The EU General Court in Luxembourg confirms the Commission’s decision ordering the recovery of State aid granted by Spain to the operators of the terrestrial television platform. The measures adopted by the Spanish authorities did not respect the principle of technological neutrality. The digitisation of broadcasting  can be carried out technically via terrestrial (DTT), satellite or cable platforms or through broadband Internet access. This decision will also have implications for state aid regarding digitisation of radio (DAB etc).

Media Will Dominate Mobile Broadband Content 2021

India Now Surpasses 500 Million Unique Mobile Subscribers

Now there are as many mobile subscriptions as there are people on the planet.  India is on track to surpass half a billion mobile subscribers by the end of the year, according to a new GSMA study, signaling the start of a new era for the country’s mobile economy. The new report The Mobile Economy: India 2015 finds that 13% of the world’s mobile subscribers reside in India and that subscriber growth is forecast to cements India's position as the world’s second-largest mobile market behind China. 

British Consumer Interest in DAB Radio Ebbing Away

Signs of a saturated market for DAB with continued FM and adding smartphones

Media agency Ofcom has presented studies showing that 27% of UK radio listening is via DAB which is two thirds of all digital radio (Internet and via television network). This is the highest percentage in the world, but DAB was introduced already in 1995. Now there are signs that the DAB listening is approaching its climax. Ofcom has also asked the households which do not have a DAB receiver if they expect to buy one within one year. 6 out of 10 households responded that this is not likely (13%), is not at all likely (21%) or certainly not (25%). Only 14% would consider buying a DAB receiver.

Continued Uphill Struggle for DAB Radio In France

Consultation reveals lack of interest among major broadcasters

The media authority CSA has now compiled comments on a consultation regarding the further implementation of digital radio (DAB+) allotments. The Office of Radio (umbrella organization for the four largest private radio groups in France - Lagardère Active stations, NextradioTV, NRJ and RTL Group) continue to express opposition to the deployment of digital radio; there is no workable economic model. The Hollande government also 2012 has stopped Radio France - the public radio - to go DAB - for economic reasons. But organizations of independent broadcasters, including CNRA and SNRL, continue to push for the deployment of DAB+, subject to reservations related to the funding of community radio stations (today 40% of budget funded by the government).

Mobile Telecoms Ask for Co-primary Allocation of UHF Spectrum for Broadcast and Mobile

Little progress on UHF Band as WRC-15 conference searches for more mobile spectrum

The agenda item that is widely acknowledged to be the most important at World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva, the identification of more spectrum to mobile broadband (IMT), is proving to be just as controversial as predicted. The GSM Association released a statement that highlighted the 470-694 MHz band’s potential for rural mobile broadband deployments and lashed out at the “misinformation” spread by incumbent broadcasters.

Lobby Group Struggles to Retain Frequencies for DAB Radio

DAB frequency allocations is a spectrum wasteland in Norway

There is an increased global pressure from telecom operators to expand mobile broadband allocations in the UHF band (470-862 MHz) which is already underway in the 700 and 800 MHz band with next step the 600 band (Canada and the US). Thus terrestrial television broadcasters are being pressured to regain spectrum for DVB-T2 in the VHF band III (174-240 MHz). This might be a mortal problem for DAB broadcasting as there are no other spectrum allocated for DAB/DAB+ on lower frequencies.