DAB DAB+ DMB Building on Success - Aiding the implementation and roll out of the Eureka 147 Family of Standards - Bayern Digital Radio
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DAB · DAB+ · DMB Building on Success Aiding the implementation and roll out of the Eureka 147 Family of Standards.
Contents Chariman’s Letter 3 Introduction 4 Coverage Maps 7 Countries Information 9 Other countries using DAB, DAB+, DMB, DAB-IP 28 Potential Building Blocks for Legislators & Regulators 32 Product Roll Out 34 Products 38 Contacts 39
Message from the Chairman With the ongoing digitalisation of the Radio and Television media we are experiencing the largest changes in broadcast services since the introduction of FM and television more than 50 years ago. Sufficient frequency resources for these new digital broadcast services are vital for the success of this development, which has recently been assured in Europe, Africa and the Middle East by the agreements made on the Regional Radio Conference held in Geneva in 2006. The world is going digital, and to make sure the consumer can enjoy the full benefits of digital technology, broadcasters and the industry have developed – more than 10 years ago - a delivery system called Eureka 147 which has since been adopted by many European countries, as well as Canada, many countries in the Far East like China and Korea, and elsewhere around the world. Eureka 147 was originally developed to support DAB digital radio but has since evolved to incorporate multimedia services to meet the needs and expectations of the market. Over the last few years, DAB has undergone some of the most exciting developments since the basic standard was established. These developments include the possibility to use DAB+ which is based on the original DAB standard but with a much more efficient AAC+ audio codec and the introduction of streamed video and multimedia services, usually referred to as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB). Furthermore, DAB data broadcasting is being aligned with other wireless distribution systems. This will enable interoperability with mobile telephone networks, and also widens the scope of DAB beyond the traditional broadcast remit to include interactive and communication services. This guide will provide the latest information on the current status of DAB/DAB+/DMB/DAB-IP in a number of key countries, as well as plans for future roll-out. The selected countries are at different levels of advancement in the deployment of digital broadcasting. We have attempted to present the best possible picture of the regulatory situation in these countries in order to give those who may be just beginning to think about regulation in their own countries a realistic picture of some of the hurdles, which need to be overcome. Up-to-date information by country is provided on the following issues: • Population • General Information • Coverage • Services on Air • Receiver Penetration • Regulation This guide is aimed at all those who are in the process of rolling-out digital broadcasting and at the decision makers who will play a role in this process. It is our hope that it will take us one step further in making the deployment of DAB/ DAB+/DMB/DAB-IP a continued success. Mr Finn Søndergaard Pedersen Chairman of the Regulatory and Spectrum Committee
Introduction
DAB/DAB+/DMB/DAB-IP Digital Broadcasting Worldwide
The Eureka 147 Family of standards, which include DAB, DAB+, DMB and DAB-IP have
experienced dramatic growth throughout the past year. Countries around the world are
increasingly adopting digital broadcasting technologies in order to meet the needs and
demands of the consumer.
DAB Digital Radio is continuing to change the landscape of radio broadcasting across the
world. DAB Digital Radio’s capabilities differ greatly from analogue and each country currently
implementing or considering switching to DAB should rethink its regulatory environment.
DAB Digital Radio not only continues the tradition of radio, maintaining the flavours, opportu-
nities and advantages, but also enhancing the potential of radio broadcasting by adding
multimedia services such as mobile TV, Slide Show, EPG, BWS, and TPEG. DAB Digital Radio
continues to be the standard of choice in many of the European and Asian markets; markets
in the UK and in Nordic countries continue to grow and strengthen and the potential of DAB
Digital Radio is being realised by new markets year on year.
Most countries enjoy an analogue mix of public service and commercial broadcasting. The
degree to which the airwaves are shared varies from country to country. Listening habits,
availability of stations, and the percentage split between commercial and public radio
listening vary considerably. At the same time, broadcasting regulations across Europe and
worldwide are equally diverse in their origins and scope.
DAB+ Enhanced Radio is based on the original DAB standard, but uses a highly efficient audio
codec, AAC+. In February 2007, DAB+ finalised its European Communication Standards
Institute (ETSI) standardisation process. DAB+ allows regulators and broadcasters to
implement DAB with improvements in spectrum efficiency, lower per-station transmission
costs and offer listeners an even greater choice of services. Broadcasters are also able to
benefit from the fact that DAB+ and traditional DAB can be broadcast on the same multiplex
at the same time and new receivers, which include both types of audio codecs, will work
in any country. Many manufacturers are currently developing DAB+ enabled receivers for
launch into the market as early as Christmas 2007.
In March 2007 commercial radio broadcasters announced that they would adopt the DAB+
standard as the digital radio solution for Australia. Other countries to potentially consider
this enhanced radio standard include: Malta, New Zealand, Italy, India, Switzerland, Canada,
The Netherlands and China. DAB+ offers enhanced DAB digital radio and takes advantage
of technological innovations, which benefit and protect the standard’s competitiveness in a
rapidly changing international market.
DMB Mobile TV/Multimedia Services: on handheld devices are proving to be an attractive
market for mobile telecom operators, many of whom have launched video streaming
devices on third-generation (3G) networks. However, such networks alone can neverdeliver distributive services effectively to many simultaneous users because the distribution costs are prohibitive. A better, more cost effective option is to use broadcast frequencies and broadcast technologies to deliver such services to mobile phones. Along with telecoms operators, many DAB broadcasters are interested in exploiting new applications for broadcasting diverse and varied content to handheld devices. DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), an approved European standard, is designed to broadcast AV (audio and video) streaming and multimedia to mobile handsets, using DAB as a transport medium and integrated wherever a DAB infrastructure already exists, in parallel with existing DAB services. DMB (MPEG-4 multimedia) is an extension to the original European DAB standard, which was funded by the Eureka 147 Project. The range of products receiving video and multimedia services such as mobile phones, PC, in-car, PDA- like devices is now well over 150 with many manufacturers producing cutting edge designs at affordable prices. DMB in Korea continues to be a high growth market with more than seven million devices sold up to 2007. The development of DMB in China has been rapid with the Chinese Government announcing in 2007 that DAB/DMB would be the standard used in China. It is also expected that DMB will be used alongside the Chinese standard, CMMB, for the Olympic Games in 2008. Chinese Operators expect that there will be more than one million DMB users in the country before the Olympic Games. There are now more than six Chinese DMB receiver manufacturers and it is expected that this number will increase rapidly in the next year. Germany became the first European country to commercially launch mobile TV services in the summer 2006 via DMB. This commercial service can be seen and heard in all major cities throughout the country. The DMB European standard has been tested or trialled in 14 European countries including France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Malta, the Czech Republic and Portugal. In Asia and the rest of the world DMB has also been trialled or there are plans for trials in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa Kuwait and Ghana. Most recently, the Italian public network provider, RAIWAY, announced they would not continue with their DVB-H transmission in order to launch DMB services in late 2007. DAB-IP is the second ETSI standard promoted by WorldDMB designed to broadcast AV (audio and video) streaming and multimedia to mobile handsets. This service uses DAB as a transport medium and is an application which uses IP (Internet Protocol) to broadcast content to mobile devices. DAB-IP also allows mobile TV together with DAB radio to be broadcast on a single system. The service offers the user DAB Enhanced Packet Mode (EPM) along side Internet Protocol (IP) applications.
Common Regulation The digitalisation of radio and multimedia services continues to progress
rapidly across the world. Over 500 million people can now receive more than 1,000 DAB
based multimedia services and these numbers are increasing rapidly as more licences are
awarded and more countries adopt the Eureka 147 Family of Standards. Outside Europe,
the key areas of development are seen in China, Korea and the majority of the Asia Pacific
Region, including Australia.
New media tends to progress rapidly while governments traditionally move more slowly.
This means that in many cases regulation has not yet caught up with the technology. Thus,
where DAB based services have been introduced, existing radio broadcasting legislation
and regulation has been generally applied whilst further consideration is given to what
regulation will best allow these services to achieve their full potential.
It is impossible and potentially dangerous to attempt to impose common regulation, or to
suggest that one country’s regulatory regime would work in any other. However, it does
make sense that within any collection of separate regulatory regimes there should be
some common threads. This publication attempts to identify those common threads, and
to illustrate the “best practice” experiences of countries with an established DAB based
network. We will also look at how countries without specific DAB based legislation can still
roll out services. And, finally, we look at countries taking their first steps into DAB Digital
Radio and DMB Multimedia broadcasting.
The Regional Radio Conference 2006 (RRC-06) has paved the way for the structured
development of terrestrial broadcasting towards an all-digital future. Frequency plans
Geneva 2006 that allow full exploitation of the benefits of digital transmission were
established for T-DAB and DVB-T in Band III and DVB-T in Bands IV and V with a transition
period from 2006 to 2015.
The digital dividend is currently influencing countries thoughts on the future use of spectrum.
The Geneva 2006 (GE06) specified that each country should establish the scale of its own
digital dividend. The digital dividend is; the spectrum made available over and above that
required to accommodate the existing analogue television services in a digital form, in
VHF (Band III: 174-230 MHz) and UHF bands (bands IV and V: 470-862 MHz). The ‘Mask’
concept identified and evolved during RRC-06 has been widely accepted and facilitates the
introduction and harmonisation of alternative technologies without destabilising the GE06
agreement and frequency plans adopted by all countries in the area covered by European
Conference for Postal & Telecommunications (CEPT).SWEDEN Countries with and
ICELAND R DAB
U S S I ADAB
N +F E D E
NORWAY
UNITED
KINGDOM
D A DENMARK
NETHER-
REP. OF LANDS
IRELAND BELGIUM G E R M A N Y
LUX. CZECH REP .
FRANCE SWITZ. HUNGARY
ALASKA IT
SWEDEN
(US) ICELAND R U S S I A N F E D E R A T I O N
AL
NORWAY
UNITED
Y
KINGDOM
STATES C A N A D A DENMARK
NETHER-
PORTUGAL S P A I N REP. OF LANDS
IRELAND BELGIUM G E R M A N Y
LUX. CZECH REP .
FRANCE SWITZ. HUNGARY
GREECE
F IT
AL
Y
UN IT E D S T A T E S MALTA
PORTUGAL S P A I N C H I
GREECE
O F
CALIFORNIA MALTA C H I N A S.KOREA
ICA A M E R I CA
KUWAIT
KUWAIT
M E
INDIA HONG CHINESE
X
KONG TAIPEI
I
C
O
INDIA
MALAYSIA
SINGAPORE
P E R U
A U S T R A L I A
SOUTH
AFRICA
NEW
ZEALAND
DAB Com L and DAB Com L and
DAB Com L DAB Trial /Test DAB + Trial /Test
P E R U DAB Trial /Test DAB + Trial /Test
SWEDEN
ICELAND Countries with R
DMB S I A
U S and N F E D E R
DAB-IP
UNITED NORWAY
KINGDOM
A D A DENMARK
NETHER-
REP. OF LANDS
IRELAND GERMANY
BELGIUM
LUX. CZECH REP .
FRANCE SWITZ. HUNGARY
ALASKA IT
SWEDEN
(US) ICELAND R U S S I A N F E D E R A T I O N
AL
UNITED NORWAY
Y
KINGDOM
STATES C A N A D A DENMARK
NETHER-
REP. OF LANDS
IRELAND
PORTUGAL S P A I N GERMANY
BELGIUM
LUX. CZECH REP .
FRANCE SWITZ. HUNGARY GREECE
F IT
AL
Y
UNI TE D S T ATE S
PORTUGAL S P A I N MALTA
GREECE
CALIFORNIA OF
C H I N
MALTA C H I N A
ICA AM E RIC A S.KOREA
KUWAIT
M E
INDIA
KUWAIT HONG CHINESE
X
KONG TAIPEI
I
C
O
GHANA
MALAYSIA
INDIA
SINGAPORE
P E R U
GHANA A U S T R A L I A
SOUTH
AFRICA
NEW
ZEALAND
DMB Com L and DMB Trial and DMB Trial and
DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test
DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP Com L DAB-IP Trial
P E R U
Denmark Denmark Germany
Australia
95% 95% 80% 82%
Population 21 million
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei
Coverage
Australian broadcasters have been airing DAB trials in Sydney on L-band since 1998
and on Band III since 2003. A single high-powered Band III transmission and two
L-band cells to the west and north of Sydney provide around 80% population coverage.
It is planned that the trial DAB services will be gradually switched off as a DAB+ trial started 80% 100% 98% 90%
on 1st July 2007.
Country Introduction
The Australian Government passed legislation on 10th May 2007 to enable the launch of digital
radio in Australia. The legislation enables incumbent commercial, national and wide-coverage
5. 4m 12m 15m
community radio broadcasters to provide digital radio services in the six state capital cities of
China China China
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart starting on 1st January 2009.
The Australian radio industry plans to implement digital radio using the DAB+ standard.
DMB Com L
This
DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test
DMB Trial /Te
may be supplemented by the use of DRM in rural and regional areas in the future and the
DAB Com L DAB Trial /Test
DAB Com L
DAB Trial /Te
Australian radio industry has pledged to invest up to $400 million over the coming years to roll
out digital radio across the country.
There have, in the past, been DMB trials in Australia but at the present time there is no clear
view on where the mobile TV market will go.
Services on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 2 ✔ ✔ ✔
Commercial 7 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
* All services have dynamic scrolling text. Broadcast slideshow on one service is dynamic, on others slides are in a carousel. Ten
services have electronic programme guide (EPG).
Number of Receivers sold
Broadcasters are encouraging manufacturers, retailers and car
manufacturers to have a broad range of DAB+ receivers with
screens available for sale by Christmas 2008.
Number of Retailers
Not applicable as currently in trial phase.
Details of Trials
The first DAB+ test was launch in July 2007. Australia is working
with other Asia Pacific countries to encourage the take up Concept radio design developed
by Commercial Radio Australia
of DAB+.10
Regulation
The Australian Communications and Media Authority are managing digital licences. There are
currently no regulations on coverage requirements, there is a quota for Australian music and
simulcasting and associated data while still visuals are permitted. Digital licences will not be
charged to incumbent public and commercial broadcasters in recognition of the significant
investment in analogue licenses and the costs of digital roll out.
Other key points of the digital radio legislation in Australia are that there is no cost spectrum
for incumbent commercial broadcasters and no new entrants for six years from the start date.
First right of refusal will be given to commercial radio broadcaster consortiums to operate
multiplexes. There will be an entitlement to a minimum of 128kbit/s (1/9 multiplex) and a
maximum of 256kbit/s (1/5
Denmarkmultiplex). To gain
Denmark
spectrum
Germany Norway
efficiencies,
Denmark Singapore Denmark
AustraliaThe Netherlands
is endorsing
South Korea Germany Norway United Kingdom
Singapore South Korea The Netherland
+
the use of the new high efficiency codec DAB . Finally, there will be a commitment to assist
regional commercial radio broadcasters at the time of rollout.
Belgium 95% 95% 80% 82% 95%
70 95% 99% 80% 75% 82% 70% 70% 85% 99% 75% 70%
C.Taipei AUSTRALIA France
BELGIUM Spain
C.Taipei Switzerland France Spain Sw
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM
Population 10.5 million
Coverage
Flemish region French region
100% population coverage
80% 100% 98% 98%90population
% 75% coverage
50%%
80 100%
20% 98% 52% 90% 75% 85%50% 100%
90% 20% 52% 90%
• Note: All motorways and
main roads covered
Country Introduction
De Vlaamse Radio – en Televisieomroep (VRT), the public broadcaster
in the Flemish community, introduced DAB in Belgium in m1997. VRT
5.4m 12m 15m 5.80
4m 12m 15m 80m
has one multiplex in operation
China
with
Chinanine audio
China programmes
China
China (5 China China China
simulcast and four DAB only). RTBF, the public broadcaster for
the French community, also
DMB Com L hasDMB
a Trial
multiplex
/Test in
DMB operation
DMB Com L and
Trial /Test
DMB Com L
with
DAB-IP six
DMB Trial DMB
and Trial /Test
Com L
DMB
DMB Trial
DAB-IPDMB
andCom L and
Trial Trial /Test
DMB Trial and
DAB-IP Com L
DMB Trial and
DAB-IP Trial
audio programmes (all simulcasts).
DAB Com L The
DAB Trial /Test promotion undertaken
DAB Com L and
DAB Trial /Test
DAB Com L by
DAB Com DABL and
DAB+ Trial /Test
Trial /Test
DAB Com L and
DAB+ Trial
DAB /Test
Trial /Test
DAB Com L and
DAB+ Trial /Test
DAB+ Trial /Test
VRT and its development of DAB-only programmes, are helping to
increase DAB household penetration. A major increase is expected
when commercial DAB stations start broadcasting. There is spaced
reserved on the RTBF multiplex commercial broadcasters. In Flanders where there are more
programmes they plan to launch a new multiplex.
Stations on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 15 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Number of Receivers sold
Although figures are available these are not considered to reflect the market.11
Number of Retailers
Although figures are available these are not considered to reflect the market.
Details of Trials
There are currently no ongoing
Denmark or planned
Germany trials with DAB
Norway
+
Singapore, DMB
Southor
KoreaDAB/IP.
The Netherlands Denmark
United Kingdom Denmark Germany Norway Sin
Denmark
Regulation
Broadcasting legislation in Belgium differs between the Flemish, French and German speaking
communities. Licences will be granted to programme providers only in the French community,
Denmark Denmark Germany Norway Singapore South Korea The Netherlands United Kingdom
Denmark Denmark Germany Norway Si
licenses in the Flemish
95% 95%
community
80%
will, most
82%
likely,
70%
be granted
99%
to the multiplex
75% 70%
operator
95%
and may
95% 85% 80% 82% 70%
have restrictions. Simulcasting is permitted within both French and Flemish communities and Fran
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei France Spain Switzerland
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei
there are no specific rules or conditions governing this. There is also no legislation governing
advertising, sponsorship and marketing on DAB digital radio broadcasting.
95% 95% 80% 82% 70% 99% 75% 70% 95% 85%
95 80% 82% 70%
China AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei France Spain Switzerland
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei Fran
80% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20% 52% 90% 80%%
85 100%100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 2
Population 1.32 billion
Coverage
80 10 %
98 90 0%
75 % % % 50% 20% % 90 85 80 10 % % % 0% 0% 98% 90% 75% 50% 2
Guangdong Province: *Population 80 million 52
Beijing: Population 12 million10
12m 15m 80m 5.4m 12m 15m 80m
5.4m
China China China China China China China China
Shanghai: Expected population Dalian: Expected population
DMB Com L and DMB Trial and DMB Trial and DMB Com L and DMB Trial
DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test
DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP Co
coverage 15 million DMB Trial /Test
coverage 5.4 million
DAB-IP Com L DAB-IP Trial
DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com
DAB
5.4m
Com L
12m
DAB Trial /Test
15m DAB Trial /Test 80
m DAB+ Trial /Test
DAB+ Trial /Test DAB Com L
5.4m
DAB Trial /Test
12m m Trial /Test
15DAB 80m DAB+ Tria
*Coverage of the Pearl
China River Delta China
Area with expansion
China anticipated
China to the majority of the province (population 80 million)
China China China China
Country Introduction DMB Com L and DMB Trial and DMB Trial and DMB Com L and DMB Trial
DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test
DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP Com L DAB-IP Trial DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP C
The Chinese regulator, SARFT, announced in May 2006 that DAB was chosen as the industrial
DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com
DAB Com L DAB Trial /Test DAB+ Trial /Test DAB Com L DAB Trial /Test
DAB Trial /Test DAB+ Trial /Test DAB Trial /Test DAB+ Tria
standard for digital radio in China. DMB trials have also been ongoing in many cities across
the country. Lenovo Mobile became the first Chinese manufacturer to develop a DMB mobile
phone. Other Chinese manufacturers of DMB devices include: Aigo, Longcheer, BBEF and
SIM. DMB PMP receivers are available in Beijing for affordable prices approximately RMB2500
(250 Euros).
In September 2006 Beijing Jolon commercially launched DAB/DMB in Beijing with 20 radio
services (16 of which are simulcast services), four video services and two data services using
Band III. Beijing Jolon has recently announced its plan to invest US $18 million in the develop-
ment of DAB/DMB terrestrial and subway coverage in the city for the Olympic Games in 2008.
It is expected that more than one million DMB users will be attracted to the service before the
Olympic Games.
Dalian Tiantu Cable Television Network has also recently been issued with a license for digital
radio and mobile TV via DAB/DMB and plans to launch four radio services and one video service
in July 2007. DMB trials have also been ongoing in Guangzhou and Dalian.12
CMMB is a homegrown Chinese satellite mobile TV standard for national coverage. Many local
industrial players believe that CMMB is seen as the ideal technology for national digital broad-
casting coverage and DAB/DMB is seen as the best technology for regional coverage. Manu-
facturers have already created dual chipsets, which can decode both CMMB and DAB/DMB.
Services on Air
DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 26 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Number of Receivers sold
Figures not available.
Number of Retailers
There are various retailers in Beijing, Shanghai & Guangzhou such
as Sunchie Tech.Co.Ltd.
Details of Trials
Guangdong Province has had an ongoing Band III trial in the Pearl
River Delta area, broadcasting eight video and four radio services.
Commercial services are currently available from the Guangdong Lenevo ET980T – The first
Chinese manufacturer to
mobile TV Media.
develop a DMB mobile phone
Shanghai has had L-band trials of DAB based services with four for the Chinese market.
video, four radio and three data services since 2005. The city is
expected to have a commercial launch in 2007, beginning with
in-car receivers.
Trials of DAB/DMB based services are expected to begin shortly
in other locations across China. One key driver for DAB/DMB
rollout is the deadline of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Regulation
China’s State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
(SARFT) manage licences and standards in China. It was recently
announced by SARFT that no trials of digital broadcasting were
permitted without a license. Currently, DAB based services are ABS Logo “The Academy
of Broadcasting Sciences”,
the only European digital broadcasting technology that has
the First Chinese Member of
been granted licenses in China. In 2007 four operators have trial WorldDMB joins in 2007.
licences and, following recent SARFT approval, there are likely to
be more DAB and mobile TV licences in the near future.13
Denmark
Denmark Denmark Germany Norway Singapore
Denmark SouthDenmark
Korea The Netherlands
Germany United Kingdom
Norway Singapore
Population 5.5 million
Coverage
Outdoor 95% population coverage Indoor 80% population coverage
95% 95% 80% 82% 70% 95% 99%
95% %%
8075 70% 82% 85%%
70 99%
Country Introduction France Spain Switzerland France
AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei AUSTRALIA BELGIUM C.Taipei
According to polls, by mid-2007, one million Danes will live in a
household with a digital radio. This corresponds with sales of half
a million receivers, many of them sold in a successful marketing
drive in the 2006 Christmas period. Two VHF multiplexes transmit
a mix of commercial and non-commercial
80% programming
100% 98% from,
90% at 75% 50% 20%
80% 100% %%
5298 90%%
90 85% 75%100% 50% 20%
present, a total of 54 sites. From 1st January 2008, multiplexes will
be separated into commercial and non-commercial broadcasting.
DAB receiver sales are strong and expected to increase
throughout 2007 and 2008. Broadcasters and other industry
players, to promote both services and digital radio, have 15formed DAB will be broadcast live from
5.4m 12m m 80m 5.4m 12m 15m 80m
the 2007 Roskilde Festival
“DAB Danmark.” Due to the vast DAB network
China it would
China be relatively
China China China China China China
simple to implement a DMB service in Denmark.
DMB Com L and DMB Trial and DMB Trial and DMB Com L and DMB Trial and
DMB Com L DMB Trial /Test DMB Com Com
L DMB Trial /Test Trial
DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP L DAB-IP DMB Trial /Test DAB-IP Com L
Services on Air DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com L and DAB Com L and
DAB Com L DAB Trial /Test
DAB Trial /Test DAB ComTrial
DAB+ L /Test DAB TrialDAB+
/Test Trial /Test
DAB Trial /Test DAB+ Trial /Test
DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 14 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Commercial 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
*All of these services are broadcast nationwide.
Number of Receivers sold
Approximately 450,000 DAB receivers have been sold, there is
however no official monitoring.
Number of Retailers
Approximately 300 specialised electronics retail stores; super-
market and food chains are significant players with frequent
offerings.
Details of Trials
There have been successful tests of DMB on one of the VHF DAB Special
Events/Roadshows
multiplexes in the summer of 2006, and limited DMB tests on
L-band are being considered for the downtown Copenhagen area.
Regulation
DAB regulation is set by three different bodies in Denmark; The Ministry of Culture legislates for
media politics and licences, the Ministry of Science sets the political framework for frequency
applications and the National IT and Telecoms Agency maintains technical management of the
frequency spectrum. Public broadcaster Denmark Radio (DR) runs one national multiplex and
two regional multiplexes are run as one national multiplex by the commercial broadcasters. Two
vacant 256 kbit/s slots on the commercial multiplex will be auctioned off in 2007. DR is able to
use the free space on the commercial multiplex until the end of the 2007 calendar year.14
France
Population 63 million
Coverage
In France the trials (see below) licensed by the CSA currently cover around 20% of
the population, mainly in the Paris area (five multiplexes) and Lyon (one multiplex). In
82% two
addition to these audio services, there are also 98%
100%Motorway 90% trials75in
Radio % 50%
certain 20%
areas.
Country Introduction
In September 2006, the main French radio broadcasters, representing 95% of the radio
audience, joined together to form the “Groupement pour la Radio Numérique” (GRN) to
support the launch of digital radio through DMB
85%and its
52%MPEG
99%4 encoding.
55% On
70%the 1st
60%February
36%
% % %
2007 the French National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) adopted a law, which stated that
the Eureka 147 Family of Standards was its chosen digital radio standard, with T-DMB as
the preferred choice for digital radio. The Ministry of Industry confirmed this choice in March
2007. The French administration has released a project of decree, indicating that DMB is the
standard that must be used in France for digital radio in Band III and L-band. The CSA, the
French regulatory body, has created a working group on digital radio and has now authorised
eight trials to take place in France for a duration of six months; six in DMB, one in DMB and
DAB+ and one in DRM, after which calls for tenders should be launched in Autumn 2007
ready for a commercial launch in 2008.
Services on Air
During the trials, several radios stations will be on air and it is expected that about 50 programmes
will be on air in Paris. The future operational transmissions, and, therefore, the contents of the
multiplex, will be defined by the decisions of the CSA, following the call for tenders expected at
the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008, pending approval from the European Commission.
Number of Receivers sold
Not applicable as currently in the trial phase.
Number of Retailers
Not applicable as currently in the trial phase.
Details of Trials
In the first half of 2007, the CSA, the French regulatory body, created a working group on digital
radio and has now authorised eight trials to take place in France for a duration of six months;
six in T-DMB, one in DMB and DAB+, and one in DRM, after which calls for tender should be
launched in Autumn 2007 ready for a commercial launch in 2008.
Following the decree project by the French Ministry of Industry, the Digital Radio Association has
launched one trial to compare DAB+ and DMB. This trial took place in Nantes at the end of July
2007. Six other trials have also been authorised. These trials will demonstrate the capacity of
both standards for radio services and applications for associated data services. For full details
of these trials see Table 1.
A 12-month trial of DMB, broadcasting TV and radio took place in Paris in 2005 and 2006.15
Regulation
DAB licences will be issued with a duration of 10 to 15 years. Broadcasters going digital will get
a five year extension of their analogue licences. Simulcasting, associated data and audiovisual
communication services will be permitted. Analogue and digital licences are both issued free of
charge. There is a quota for French music and new artists and the current analogue rules which
govern advertising and sponsorship will apply to digital radio.
Table 1 DAB/DMB Six Month Trials in France
Operator System Band Location Duration
TDF DMB III & L Paris 6 months
Towercast DMB III & L Paris 6 months
VDL DMB III Paris 6 months
Cofiroute & TDF DMB L A10 Motorway between Tours Poitiers 6 months
Association DR DMB & DAB+ III Paris and Nantes 3 months
ASF & VDL DMB III A7 Motorway between Lyon-Valence 6 months
TDF Radio France DMB III Lyon 6 months
TDF DRM MW & 26 MHz Paris and Rennes 6 months
*After these trials, the CSA will launch calls for tenders for digital radio licences at the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008.
Digital radio should then be commercially launched in 2008.
Germany
Population 83 million
Coverage
Outdoor 82% population coverage
82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Regular DMB services are available in 16 major cities including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg,
Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Stuttgart and Leipzig.
Country Introduction
Germany is among the leading European proponents of DAB
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
Digital Radio with a large local and regional network.
% Development
% %
in Germany has been further stimulated by the results of the
Regional Radio Conference 2006 (RRC ’06). This provides the
opportunity, depending on the final decision of the relevant
political institutions, to install further multiplexes and to increase
transmitter power to achieve more efficient and reliable coverage.
As a consequence, a nation-wide digital radio re-launch and
marketing campaign is planned in 2008.
Germany was the first European country to launch a commercial DMB service which was
available during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. On 30th May 2006 Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland
(MFD) launched Watcha TV, the mobile television services using the DMB standard, in most
large German cities. DMB offers viewers access to five television programme services ARD,
ZDF, N24, Pro7/SAT1 and MTV. All of these television services, apart from ARD and ZDF, are
available for a monthly fee of approximately ¤5.00 per month. Samsung and LG are providing16
the handsets for this service while Debitel, Mobilcom and Simply are the telecom operators
providing the DMB service to viewers. The commercial DMB service is currently using
L-band frequencies.
Stations on Air
There are now more than 180 radio stations in Germany (both public and commercial) and
nearly 100 types of stations. There are up to 15 stations per site, split into a variety of regional
and local multiplexes. Most are simulcasts of FM stations, but there are an increasing number of
DAB-only channels. Data services broadcasting news and travel information are also available
in many areas.
Number of Receivers sold
There has been no official market research on the number of DAB/DMB receivers sold, but
a study by ZEM/Universität Bonn carried out in 2007 estimated that 546,000 receivers have
been sold in Germany to date.
Number of Retailers
There are more than 1,000 DAB/DMB retailers in Germany listed by the www.digitalradio.de
website. Users can search by postal code, map or name of retailer. There is also a list of online
traders. Included in this list are: Debitel, TV-Hifi-Bang & Olufsen, Bosch, HiFi Studio Unger,
Prestel, Media Markt, Elektro-Kraft, Wittenberg-Antennen & Technik, D&G Telecom, Auto &
Sound, Saturn, Quelle AG, Pure-Digital Shop.
Details of Trials
MI FRIENDS - DMB Project
The European DMB-project MI FRIENDS, ‘Mobile Interactive
Television, Radio, Interactivity, Entertainment and New Digital
Services’, has been launch by the Bayerische Landeszentrale
für Neue Medien (BLM) as a pilot project based on article 30 of
the Bavarian Law of Media (BayMG). This project is attempting
to realise ‘anywhere-anytime-anyway’ and its goal is to enable
mobile and interactive usage of already existing as well as new media
applications in receivers. The project is also aimed at gaining experience relating to new
(interactive) technologies, business models and user requirements to support the commercial
launch in Germany. MI FRIENDS uses ‘ready for market’ receivers, which are to be developed
further. This project is currently using Band III (South Tyrol also L-band) frequencies. The latest
subproject, in Lake Constance on the border of Germany, Austria & Switzerland, is designed
to be a “mixed mux approach” broadcasting DAB/DMB & DAB+ on the same ensemble. The
phase will take place at the end of 2007 with the second phase during, and after, the UEFA
European Football Championship (Euro2008). This second phase will be a multi-standard
trial allowing services to be broadcast on all of today’s digital multimedia standards DAB,
DMB, DVB-H, TPEG and GPRS/UMTS on a single device. The challenge for the “MI FRIENDS
Lake Constance” project will be to show the benefits of a mobile media future in Europe on
DMB/DAB.
Regulation
Germany has a two-tier government, federal and state, which is reflected in the country’s
broadcasting legislation. The federal government issues telecommunications licences to17
network operators and regulates frequency and spectrum issues. Broadcast programme
providers are regulated by the states, each of which has its own regulatory framework. The
federal government assigns frequencies, but content distribution is licensed by State Media
Authorities. Network operators are granted frequency allocation for 15 years and state licences
run for between four and eight years and holders must promote DAB digital radio. It is a
requirement that within three years of a licence being issued there is 80% population coverage.
There are also no defined rules relating to data capacity use, up to 20% multiplex capacity is
normal. Analogue switch off is targeted for between 2010 and 2015.
Ireland
82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 4 million
Coverage
36% of the population are capable of receiving the trial stations
85% 52% 99% 55% 36%
Country Introduction % %
70% 60%
%
A DAB digital radio trial began in March 2007 with 11 stations, six existing national stations and
five Dublin stations. This trial covered the Greater Dublin and North East area with coverage
of approximately 36% of Ireland’s population. This development has been led by RTÉ in co-
operation with digitalRadio.ie, a new industry group set up to explore the development and
promotion of digital radio in Ireland. The members of this group are: 98FM, Digital Audio
Productions, FM104, Newstalk 106-108 FM, Phantom 105.2, Q102, RTÉ Radio, SPIN 1038 and
Today FM. The eventual aim is to invite all Irish broadcasters to join digitalRadio.ie and through
a shared effort by the industry move radio in Ireland forward. Since early June 2007 Ireland’s
public service broadcaster, RTÉ, has been broadcasting four new DAB-only stations as part
of the trial, with two more to come. RTÉ has also been working closely with distributors and
retailers to promote DAB digital radio.
RTÉ conducted trials of DAB IP in 2006, however, no service is yet planned. RTÉ intend to hold
DMB and music download trials in 2008.
Services on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public & Commercial 16 ✔ ✔ ✔
* Four further new DAB-only services are on the way later this summer. RTÉ plans to broadcast RTÉ Choice and RTÉ Digital Radio
Sport and independent commercial broadcaster, Digital Audio Productions, plans to broadcast: Mocha and All 80s.
Number of Receivers sold
Not applicable as currently in the trial phase.
Number of Retailers
Not applicable as currently in the trial phase.
Details of Trials
See above ‘Country Information’
Regulation
In March 2007 the Broadcast (Amendment) Act was passed into law. This makes provision for
the licensing of sound broadcast multiplexes to RTÉ and to the commercial sector. RTÉ expect18
to make an application for a national multiplex before November 2007. The commercial sector
will take a little longer, as their regulatory body, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland; do not
intend to consider regulation until mid 2008.
Italy
82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 59 million
Coverage
It is estimated that by the end of the year about 60% of the Italian population will be in
reach of DAB/DMB transmissions (outdoor coverage). For
85%
further
52%
details
99% of coverage
55% 70%
in 60% 36%
% % %
Italy see Table 2.
Country Introduction
In Italy are currently one public and three commercial multiplexes active, which are operated by
Club DAB Italia, EuroDAB and C.R. DAB. The public broadcaster RAI, has also built a DAB network
and plan to roll out DAB based services in mid 2007. Since the late 1990s RAS has broadcast on
two Band III networks in the South Tyrol region.
RAIWAY and the consortiums of private broadcasters have come together to solve the problems
faced by Italy in relation to frequency, audio codecs and receivers. The emergence of DAB+
has also helped move the situation forward as it allows for more radio channels using the same
amount of frequency. DAB+ will be rolled out throughout Italy by the end of summer 2007. The
consortiums will also be increasing the number of transmitters and gap fillers to boost indoor and
outdoor reception this year.
Recently, following a successful DMB trial, RAIWAY indicated that the operator in Italy wants to
use DMB for mobile TV instead of DVB-H, due to the significantly lower network costs and the
lack of frequency for DVB-H. RAIWAY will therefore extend coverage in 2007, re-activating a
number of old DAB sites. Also the slow roll-out of DVB-H has had a negative financial effect on
some Italian mobile operators. In recent press it was stated that DMB network coverage of Italy
would cost around €8 million while a DVB-H network coverage of the country would cost around
€300 million.
RAIWAY and the commercial operators will run a joint test in Rome using RAIWAY’s transmission
site and block 6A in Band III (for a minimum of 1 year), in order to offer a good range of programmes
in Rome and to prepare for a commercial launch.
In the summer of 2007 two new transmitters were activated, one in Biella (which covers the area
between Milan and Turin) and one trial transmission extending coverage in Milan.
On 25th July 2007 Club DAB Italia also launched the first DAB+ trials in Italy, broadcasting five
audio channels and one test channel on the Consortium’s multiplex.
Services on Air
DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public & Commercial 29 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
* Some services are national and some are local so in cities such as Milan and Rome users can find on-air around 35 audio and 2
video channels.19
Number of Receivers sold
At this time there is no information on the number of receivers
being sold as Italy is still in the trial phase.
Number of Retailers
Not applicable as currently in the trial phase.
Details of Trials
See ‘Country Introduction’ for details of the trial situation in Italy.
There is currently a DMB trial taking place in Italy, the Ministry of
DMB Launch in Italy RaiWay and
Information Communication (MIC) from South Korea donated Ministry of Information Communi-
100 receivers to RaiWay for this trial which will last for six months. cation (MIC), South Korea, sign a
Memorandum of Understanding
The MIC and RaiWay have also signed a Memorandum of
for a six month DMB trial.
Understanding for the duration of this trial.
Vatican Radio announced the start of a DAB trial in the Pope’s State from 1st June 2007.
Regulation
The Italian Media Authority has approved official regulations for DAB bringing an experimental
phase to an end and paving the way for the creation of a successful DAB market. DAB Digital
Radio licences and authorisations will be issued initially to existing FM licence holders, with
remaining spectrum available for new entrants. National and local multiplexes must carry at
least five radio stations each, offering a wide choice of programmes and services. The licence
period for content providers is 12 years and for network operators 20 years.
Table 2 WorldDMB’s Marketing Committee Questionnaire Results for DAB Coverage in
Italy 2007
N/R NAME COVERAGE CHANNEL CONTENT
National EURODAB 65 % pop. 9D.BAND III 1 TV, 6 Radio, 2 Data
National CLUBDAB Milan, Rome 6A.BAND III 10 Audio
12D.BAND III 6 Audio, 1 TV
National RAI 40 % pop. 12A.BAND III 7 Audio, 1 TV
12B.BAND III
12C.BAND III
12D.BAND III
Nat. / Reg. CRDAB Milan, Rome 8C.BAND III 5 Audio
Regional RAIRAS 89% 12A .BAND III 8 Radio, 4 data
Bolzano Province
Regional RASDAB 89% 12D.BAND III 8 Radio, 8 data
Bolzano Province
Regional DABMEDIA 39 % 9D.BAND III 1 TV, 5 Radio, 2 data
Bolzano Province
Regional RASTESTLG 26 % LG.BAND L 3 Radio
Bolzano Province20
Netherlands
82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 16 million
Coverage
There is currently 70% population coverage, expected to rise to 90% and then 100% in
2008. The Dutch Government is preparing the issue of commercial DAB licences for two
more multiplexes. In the Netherlands analogue switch off is proposed
85%
for% 2015.
99% 36%
52 55% 70% 60%
% % %
Country Introduction
There is one DAB multiplex on air in The Netherlands and the National Public Broadcaster (NOS)
is the only licence holder. The Dutch Government is preparing the issue of commercial DAB
licences for two more multiplexes. The Dutch Government is preparing the issue of commercial
DAB licences for two more multiplexes.
Stations on Air
DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 16 ✔ ✔ ✔
Number of Receivers sold
Figures not available.
Number of Retailers
There are a small number of electrical retailers selling DAB digital radios.
Details of Trials
MTVNL, Mobiele Televisie Nederland together with T-Systems and MFD, launched a six month
DMB trial on the 11th July 2007. The trial covers the area of Den Haag in the Netherlands using
the L-Band. There are currently four video channels being broadcast during the trial. MTVNL
aims to be the network operator for mobile multimedia services including DMB mobile TV, DAB
digital radio and multimedia data services.
Regulation
The Dutch government issues the DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that
apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-band should be
used for DAB based services. An auction is currently planned for the end of 2007.
Norway 82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 4.5 million
Coverage
National and regional multiplexes cover more than 70% of the population and this will
increase to 80% by the end of 2007 85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
% % %21
Country Introduction
Norway has two national DAB multiplexes, one of which is split
into seven regions. The coverage is more than 70% and will be
increased to about 80% during 2007. According to the Geneva
2006 (GE06) frequency plan there is capacity for a further three
multiplexes, two of which are divided into smaller areas adapted
to local radio. There is currently strong cooperation between
the public and commercial broadcasters. Further investment in
marketing and closer co-operation within the industry has lead to
an increase in DAB receiver sales. In large areas, the population
already has more than twice as many radio channels on DAB Marketing DAB in Norway
at the 2006 Electro World
compared to what is available on FM. NRK, the public broadcaster,
exhibition
plans to start FM switch off in 2014.
Stations on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 11-13 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Commercial 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
* NRK has regional services which makes the total number of programmes about 20. Depending on which region there are 11 -13
NRK services on-air.
Number of Receivers sold
Approximately 167,000 DAB receivers sold (no official monitoring).
Number of Retailers
There has been a concentrated marketing campaign in Norway
with the top electrical retailer (Elkjøp) and another specialist in
home stereo/cinema (Hi-Fi klubben). Further retailer marketing
events are planned throughout 2007 leading up to the Christmas
period.
Details of Trials
DAB Seminar, Electro World
New digital-only audio services are being introduced and service 2006 ; “giveaways” at the Electro
providers have several plans for new data-services. There are World 2006”
also plans to continue DMB tests which were performed with
earlier success.
Regulation
Broadcasting in Norway is regulated according to the Broadcasting Act/Law. According to this
Act, NRK has the right to broadcast nationally. There is one national multiplex and three regional
multiplexes. Licences for the commercial broadcasters have been issued up to 2014.22
Singapore 82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 4.5 million
Coverage
SmartRadio & Rediffusion have 99% outdoor coverage
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
Country Introduction % % %
SmartRadio, the digital radio service from MediaCorp Radio Singapore, was launched on 19th
November 1999 and was the first commercial digital radio service in Asia. Since 1999, MediaCorp
Radio has also collaborated with a number of third parties to undertake technical development
work on data applications to add to the radio services. In March 2007, MediaCorp Radio upgraded
its DAB multiplexer which helps enhance the transmission reliability and sound quality.
Rediffusion Singapore launched seven channels on its DAB service on 17th July 2006. It is the
first country in the world to introduce subscription digital radio services. Rediffusion has since
developed a set of DAB receivers encrypted with Conditional Access (CA) for the wireless
pay services application, making it the world’s first and only digital DAB conditional access
system for the mass market. The technology behind these receivers, which can also receive
SmartRadio free-to-air DAB services, is developed entirely in Singapore.
Stations on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Commercial
Free-to-Air Service 14 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Commercial
Subscription Service 7 ✔ ✔
Number of Receivers sold
Approximately 25,000 DAB receivers sold (no official monitoring)
Number of Retailers
Approximately 20 including, consumer electronics stores, car audio retailers and Rediffusion’s
sales offices.
Details of Trials
MediaCorp is evaluating the feasibility of introducing DMB & DAB+ services and is working
towards conducting several data application trial services that include DMB TPEG, eBillboard
and Public Warning System (PWS).
Regulation
Broadcasting in Singapore is regulated by the Media Development Authority (MDA). For DAB
Digital Radio, there are three different licences for three different categories; there is a DAB
Multiplex Licence (eight years) where operators are required to carry at least five audio services
on each multiplex but can allocate 35% of the multiplex to data services. The second category
is a DAB Broadcaster Service Licence (five years), for content providers, which incorporates
programme and advertising guidelines issued in the analogue world. Finally, there is the Class
Licence (no stipulated licence period), which covers a range of data and multimedia services
supported by DAB. The MDA has adopted a self-regulatory approach, and there is no need for
service operators to approach the MDA for approval to start a data service.23
South Korea
Population 49 million
Coverage
DMB services cover approximately 75% of the country, or almost all residential areas
82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Country Introduction
In December 2005, South Korea became the first country to launch commercial DMB (Digital
Multimedia Broadcasting) services, with a mixture of mobile television, radio and data services.
In May 2007 the number of users of DMB has reached approximately 5.3 million. At the launch
of DMB there was coverage of Seoul and the surrounding Kyonggi Province. At the beginning
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
of July 2007 KBS, one of major territorial broadcasters in Korea, expanded
% the service
% area to %
the whole country and MBC is poised to follow in August. These numbers make South Korea
the world’s most successful mobile TV market.
Stations on Air
DAB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 5 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Commercial 23 ✔ ✔ ✔
* KBS, MBC, and YTN DMB are providing TTI service based on TPEG Technology
Number of Receivers sold
Approximately 5.3 million DMB receivers sold (no official
monitoring)
Number of Retailers
There are a large number of retailers in Korea selling DMB
devices.
Details of Trials
DMB is fully commercially available in South Korea.
Terminals Types:
Regulation 5.3million receivers sold
in Korea until March 2007
The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) and the
Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC) govern broadcasting.
The MIC is responsible for the development of broadcasting
technology, spectrum management, and the licensing of the
broadcasting station. The KBC is responsible for the content and
advertisement regulation, and the authorisation and recommen-
dation of licences. Only one licence is awarded to the multiplex
operator, who can then either provide their own programmes
or can lease capacity to other programme providers. The
government divided the country into six regional broadcasting
areas and 13 new nationwide broadcast licences have been
granted for DMB services.24
Spain 82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
Population 45 million
Coverage
52% of population rising to 80% in 2011
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
Country Introduction % % %
Spain first began broadcasting digital radio in April 1998 covering Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
There are also trial services in the Basque country and Catalunya. The Spanish DAB Association
(Asociación Foro de la Radio Digital), comprising of both private and national broadcasters, are
responsible for DAB in Spain. However, the situation in Spain is at a standstill, as the major radio
groups remain unsure due to the perceived threat to their markets. There is little marketing of
the technology and therefore little progress has been made in the market during 2007. There
are, however, a few new DAB broadcasters who are pushing DAB in Spain and the hope is that
continued pressure will help move the market forward.
Stations on Air
DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast
Public 27 ✔ ✔ ✔
Number of Receivers sold
Approximately 5,000 DAB receivers sold (estimate from Eureca Research 2006).
Number of Retailers
There are a small number of electrical retailers selling DAB digital radios.
Details of Trials
There have been various trials of DMB in Barcelona in 2006 and 2007 for the 3GSM exhibition
and show. Future plans for further trials are ongoing.
Regulation
National station licences are issued by the central government, while local and regional licences
are the responsibility of the regional government. Licences are valid for ten years with an
automatic renewal for a further ten years and operators must commit to the promotion of DAB
Digital Radio. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules, which exist for
analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.
Switzerland
Population 7.5 million
Coverage 82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50% 20%
90% Population coverage nationwide 90% German speaking population
by end 2007 %
covered by 2008
82% 100% 98 90% 75% 50% 20% 82% %100% 98 90% 75% 50% 20%
85% French speaking population 100% Italian speaking population
covered by 2008 covered by 2008
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36% 82% 100% 98% 90% 75% 50%
% % %
Full DAB coverage across Switzerland will be granted by 2009. While an increase in mobile
indoor reception will reach
85% 95%
52% coverage.
99% 55% 70% 60% 36% 85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60% 36%
% % % % % %
85% 52% 99% 55% 70% 60%
% % %25 Country Introduction The first channel to be launched exclusively on DAB digital radio (a classical music programme called “Radio Svizzera Classica” with announcements in Italian) was introduced in the Italian- speaking part of Switzerland in May 2007. On 27th June 2007, the Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse received authorisation from the Swiss Federal Council to introduce two new DAB-only programmes. One of them will be a news channel (DRS 4 News) and is expected to launch in November 2007, the other is an English programme called World Radio Switzerland, which will be derived from an existing local FM station (World Radio Geneva). DAB coverage is expanding rapidly, new transmitters are set up almost every week. The latest major network improvement took place in the Bernese Alps, a very important tourist region, where 11 new transmitters were set up on 5th July 2007. Commercial radio and media companies are expected to launch their first ensemble in the German-speaking part of Switzerland in 2008. The Swiss Authorities have granted them eight licences for new, DAB-only commercial radio channels on 6th July 2007. A further eight applicants did not receive a licence but may broadcast their channels licence-free, provided they can rent a space on the multiplex from the network providers. The commercial multiplex is expected to be launched in DAB+. The number of retailers selling receivers has more than doubled over the last year, and the number of receivers in the market has increased by about 30% within the last 12 months. Recent polls also suggest that there is a rapid increase in listeners, Radio Swiss Jazz shows an increase of DAB listening from 3% - 10% in one year and a DAB awareness of almost 80%. There has been a lot of DAB success in the newly covered Italian speaking region, where FM reception is poor. Swiss Coverage Stations on Air DAB/DMB No. of Services Audio Data Digital Only Simulcast Public 17 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ *There are 3 regional ensembles which amounts to a total of 30 services on air, but actually there are “only” 17 different radio chan- nels on offer as some channels are included on more than one ensemble. Number of Receivers sold Approximately 50,000 DAB receivers sold (no official monitoring) Number of Retailers In 2007 there are approximately 935 retailers selling receivers (status June 2007 according to Swiss DAB platform www.dab-digitalradio.ch) Details of Trials Switzerland is also involved in the MI FRIENDS DMB project (see Germany). Regulation The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex ad transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast and SRG is responsible for the signal generating and multiplexing.
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