The future of broadcast radio.

 

The audio market is changing New (digital) services have emerged Competition is being transformed

 Consumer preferences are shifting, it is Essential to have a strategy for broadcast radio.

DAB+ - the digital backbone for broadcast radio.

 Digital Audio Broadcasting 

- digital terrestrial radio 

- Band III 

DAB+ ~ many services on a single frequency

 - simulcast 

- new services

1. Benefits of DAB+

The Benefits of DAB+ are:  • More choice for listeners • More opportunities for broadcasters • Consistently good sound quality without interference • Radios which are easy to use with presentation that keeps radio alive 

• Designed for rugged mobile reception 

• Uses band III (174 to 240 MHz) spectrum - Wide bandwidth of 1.536 MHz prevents flat fading

 • Delivers up to 1.8 Mbps in a single channel - Typically configured for 1.2 Mbps 

• Perm its up to 64 services in a single channel - Typically around 20 radio services and additional multimedia content are provided 

• DAB has user friendly benefits

 - Select service by name or logo 

- Consistent audio quality

- Extra inform ation e.g. text services 

- Service following m eans no need to retune when m oving about

- Multimedia applications to enhance the audio are available 

    SlideShow images 

    Extended service and programme information (SPI) 

   Traffic and travel information

•  HE-AACv2 audio 
•  Low and consistent audio delay for all services
•  Clean “point-of-failure” characteristic at edge of coverage
• Fully reconfigurable 

 - Services can use any bitrate between 24 and 192 kbps providing broadcaster choice 

    Example: UK pop stations using 32 kbps for niche genres 

    Example: Swiss classical music stations using 88 kbps for live concerts 

   - Services can vary the capacity they use to allow “pop-up” services to be introduced for special events

2. Analogue vs. Digital topologies

• ITU-R Rec BS.1660 provides planning param eters for DAB 

• EBU Tech 3391 is a comprehensive guide to planning DAB.

• WorldDAB held a seminar in March 2024. 

3. Emergency Warning System - ASA

4. Global status and receivers

5. WorldDAB - how we can help

WorldDAB: the global industry forum 120 members from nearly 40 countries Offering knowledge, expertise and advice Specialist committees • Technical • Spectrum and Network implementation • Autom otive • Marketing Events, workshops and networking