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| DAB
("original flavour") |
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| DAB+ |
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| Radio Numérique Terrestre - DMB-Radio |
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| DMB TV |
Free PURE
DAB+ upgrade
For a limited period, PURE is offering free upgrades to UK customers, unlocking DAB+ reception on compatible radios. A computer with a USB port will be required to perform the upgrade. Check compatability on the PURE website.
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Own-brand DAB+ radios
In the UK, the last remaining bastion of died-in-the-wool, "original-flavour"-only DAB receivers is the range of own-brand radios sold by the major supermarket chains. Which brand will be last to switch? With the new UK digital radio tick mark now specifying DAB+ capability (among other welcome things) to qualify, it can't be long now. With DAB+ services already on air across the UK, and more certain to follow, Wohnort recommends that the own-brand ranges be avoided until they include DAB+.
Caveat emptor!
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Cookies
Wohnort does not itself use cookies. However, Wohnort uses Google Analytics to determine the international reach of the website. Google Analytics mainly uses first-party cookies to report on user interactions on Google Analytics customers’ websites. These cookies are used to store non-personally identifiable information. Browsers do not share first-party cookies across domains. Advertisers on Wohnort may also use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse traffic. Advertisers may share information about your use of the site with social media, advertising and analytics partners. If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even to delete cookies that have already been set but you might lose some functions on the websites that you visit. If you continue to use the Wohnort website without altering the cookies settings on your browser, we'll assume that you are agreeing to the use of those cookies.
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Amazon UK Offers
The button below will search for DAB price reductions on amazon.co.uk. (Wohnort has noticed that Amazon's widget occasionally produces non-DAB results)
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Search for DAB offers:
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Remember to select FREE DELIVERY to reduce your costs still further.
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| Pan-European Specification |
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To be capable of working anywhere in Europe, a "pan-European" radio needs to be able to receive DAB, DAB+ and DMB-A in Band III and L-band.
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| L-band |
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DMB-TH |
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IBOC
(aka HD Radio) |
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ISDB-T |
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Ensemble Label
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3 Stereo |
 3 Stereo | 3 Joint
Stereo | 4 Joint St.
LSF | 3 Mono | 3 Mono
LSF | 3 Dual
Channel | 1 Packet
Data | 3 Stream
Data | 3 DAB+
(Mode?) + | 3 DAB+
Stereo + | 3 DAB+
Mono + | 3 DAB+
5.1 + | | | IV | TII |
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Archives 2006
December 31st 2006
Swedish public-service broadcaster Sveriges Radio and transmission provider Teracom have agreed that DAB broadcasts will continue in Sweden during 2007. The announcement from Teracom comes despite the open hostility to DAB of the Swedish government. DAB has been broadcast in the country since 1995 under terms and conditions which expire on this day. New terms and conditions have been set by the government which will be in force for three years. According to the Teracom announcement, a resumption of regional DAB transmissions is possible, along with other experiments. Teracom notes the recent adoption of AACplus as an alternative audio codec for DAB. The new conditions for DAB will expire, in common with the FM conditions, on December 31st 2009.
December 23rd 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service another transmitter in the Italian-speaking canton Ticino (Tessin). Gorduno extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR I01 around Bellinzona and in the surrounding area. The new transmitter will be under test for approximately four weeks and as such may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power or other odd effects prior to entering official public service.
December 22nd 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service another transmitter in the Italian-speaking canton Ticino (Tessin). Airolo extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR I01 up to the southern mouth of the Gotthard tunnel, meaning that only within the tunnel itself is the main north-south route from Schaffhausen on the German border in the north to Chiasso on the Italian frontier in the south without DAB coverage. The new transmitter will be under test for approximately four weeks and as such may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power or other odd effects prior to entering official public service.
December 22nd 2006
The public-service broadcasters in Germany and the regional regulators, the Landesmedienanstalten, have reached agreement on the use of VHF and UHF frequency bands post-GE06. Band III will primarily be used for DAB and DMB while UHF Bands IV and V will be used for DVB-T and DVB-H.
Mehr auf deutsch...
December 22nd 2006
The public-service broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk and the association of private radio broadcasters in Bayern have announced that they will continue to use MPEG 1 Layer II for DAB for the forseeable future, citing the likely length of the process to formalise and then introduce the newer specification.
December 21st 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service the second DAB transmitter to be sited in Kanton Uri. Attinghausen extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS along the axis Gurtnellen-Altdorf, including Amsteg, Silenen, Erstfeld und Schattdorf. The new transmitter will be under test for approximately four weeks and as such may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power or other odd effects prior to entering official public service.
December 21st 2006
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has announced an extension to the deadline for applications for the recently-advertised local DAB franchise to cover Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including the Unitary Authority areas of Luton and Milton Keynes. The new closing date is March 28th 2007.
December 19th 2006
On Digital1 Network, theJazz is now running with a new SId (C4CA).
December 19th 2006
During the night from December 10th to 11th, the entire analogue television transmission infrastructure in the Netherlands (in use since 1951) was taken out of service. The Netherlands is thus believed to be the first country in the world, certainly in Europe, where terrestrial television is now broadcast exclusively digitally.
December 15th 2006
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has published the results of its deliberations on digital radio broadcasting and has revised its policy for DAB. Henceforth, the CRTC will regulate DAB as a supplementary service rather than a replacement technology. Prospective new service providers will be free to develop whatever new services they believe will be of greatest interest to the listener. Under the current transitional approach, services were granted limited-term licences with rolling extensions. Under the new-service approach, services will be licensed for seven year terms. The current cap of 14 hours of non-simulcast programming will be lifted. The common ownership rules will be extended to permit the additional ownership of one digital service in a market area for each analogue service permitted. Thus an entity entitled to own four analogue services in a market will be permitted, additionally, to own four digital services. As for the transitional licences currently in force, the CRTC notes that some licenses have been awarded which have not become operational. Adopting a "use them or lose them" approach, the CRTC will revoke the licences of any undertakings not operational when the current deadlines expire. Services will be licensed on the basis of the Department of Industry's channel allotment plan, permitting not more than five stations per multiplex, with no station permitted to use more than 20% of the available capacity. The CRTC ducks any decision on audio coding, stating it is prepared to consider in the future whether advances in audio coding would permit more than 5 audio streams per ensemble with the same technical quality. It will be for the applicants to propose coverage areas and to decide whether to operate by single transmitters or by Single Frequency Networks. As to IBOC or DRM broadcasting in the present AM and FM bands, the CRTC passes to buck to the Department of Industry, and says it would be prepared to authorise services using whichever technology the Department decided to adopt. The CRTC is prepared to authorise DMB or DVB-H services providing spectrum capacity issues can be addressed and they are able to obtain technical authorisation from the Department. The CRTC will convene a round-table with CEOs from the major radio groups in six months time to discuss next steps.
December 15th 2006
A new Service has popped up on Digital1 Network. theJazz is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono. The Services Capital Life and Core have dropped into Mono. Snapshots updated. Of the 14 services now running on Britain's first national commercial multiplex, only three are stereo radio services. Five are mono radio services, one is an EPG and five are television services for portable receivers. The SId of theJazz (C7C1) is not unique. In the Service areas of ScoreGLASGOW and ScoreEDINBURGH, also covered byDigital1 Network, there is an SId conflict between theJazz and XFM UK.
December 14th 2006
The Hamburg Department of Economy and Labour has denied a report published by the Financial Times Deutschland that DVB-H would become the official standard for television broadcasting to small portable receivers ("Handy TV") and that DMB had been rejected. The background to the report was a round table discussion, convened last week at the initiative of the Hamburg government, at which transmission network operators, the regional regulators (Landesmedienanstalten) as well as public-service and private broadcasters discussed the allocation of frequencies for Handy TV. Contrary to the report, the Department says, no decisions or agreements were reached concerning standards and no particular standard was rejected. (Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland is already broadcasting to several German cities using the DMB standard.) The legal procedures for allocating frequencies will be introduced in the Länder later this month.
December 14th 2006
The United Kingdom regulator Ofcom has advertised the local DAB franchise for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including the Unitary Authority areas of Luton and Milton Keynes. The ensemble will use Block 10D (215.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for the local BBC radio service, Three Counties Radio. Closing date for applications is March 13th, 2007. Ofcom expects to announce a decision within four months of the closing date. Ofcom states in the advertisement that during 2007 it will conduct a consultation on the circumstances under which, as a matter of policy, it would approve changes to the parameters associated with each DAB service on an ensemble (any ensemble), stating that recent changes to some regulatory provisions such as sound quality and the capacity allowed to be used by services other than "radio" imply a need to review Ofcom's policy in this area. The advertisement states that all non-encrypted audio services on the ensemble should be coded using MPEG 1 Layer II, though this is not unexpected.
December 11th 2006
In Hong Kong, RTHK has announced that its latest DAB test transmissions, consisting of a Block 11B ensemble - DABHK, are licensed until May 26 2007.
December 11th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a third new transmitter to serve the region Entlebuch. Schüpfheim (Voglisbergegg) improves the coverage already provided by Wiggen and Sörenberg and extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS to Hasle, Entlebuch und Schüpfheim.
December 11th 2006
A new Service has popped up on the Block 12A ensemble Rheinland-Pfalz. Judging from reports posted elsewhere on the Internet, it would appear that Multicontent consists of Primary and Secondary Components which already exist within the multiplex. The Primary Component is SWR 1 with secondaries SWR 2, SWR 3, DAS DING and Zeitansage. The Service Label and Primary Component Label being different, the behaviour of receivers will differ according to which Label is used to construct the list of available services. Some receivers will not show the Multicontent Label at all, presenting, apparently, two selectable versions of the other services. From the reports read it is not clear whether these components run in their own sub-channels or point to existing streams. From the previous disposition of the ensemble and the available capacity, it seems likely that the references are to the already existing streams.
December 11th 2006
Two new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Samuel Vale House (Coventry) improves coverage of the city and the surrounding area. Sewards End extends coverage to Saffron Walden and the surrounding parts of East Anglia including the M11 between Junctions 8 and 9.
December 10th 2006
On the Belgian ensemble VRT DAB, the service Donna hitbits has been relabelled Donna Tophits.
December 9th 2006
On NOW Bristol, the service HA Trial has ceased. The service KISS Bristol has been relabelled Kiss UK.
December 7th 2006
In Ireland, an ensemble has popped up again on Block 12C following an absence of several months. RTÉ DAB Mux 1 is reported to be broadcasting six audio services, two of which are reported to be silent currently. The accented character in the Service and Ensemble Labels does not display correctly on some receivers.
December 6th 2006
In Hong Kong, the ensemble DABHK, inactive since April, has popped up again on Block 11B. The new transmissions coincide with the ITU Telecom World 2006 which is being held in the SAR until December 8th. Snapshot updated.
December 6th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service two new transmitters on the Block 12C ensemble for the German-speaking region. Wiggen and Sörenberg extend coverage of SRG SSR - DRS to the towns Eschholzmatt, Marbach and Flühli.
December 6th 2006
In Germany, the public-service radio broadcaster Deutschlandradio has launched a new programme stream, D-Plus, which is conceived as a secondary component to its services DKULTUR and Deutschlandfunk to be broadcast on weekdays between 09:00 and 13:00. On some ensembles currently however, the stream is reported to exist as an independent service.
December 6th 2006
The UK regulator Ofcom has advertised the second national commercial multiplex. The ensemble will use Block 11A (216.928 MHz). The introduction to the advertisement states that the licence is designed "to cover the whole of the United Kingdom,
the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man". However, the Appendix reveals that owing to lack of spectrum, "Ofcom does not expect that any coverage of the Channel Islands is likely to be possible". Additionally, at least initially, some coastal areas in southern and south-eastern England, as well as parts of Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and parts of west Wales, will not be able to receive these services. The closing date for applications is March 28th 2007.
December 6th 2006
A packet data service, BBC Travel, has popped up on BBC National DAB.
November 21st 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that it will continue to use MPEG 1 Layer II for its DAB services. This includes the new services that SRG/SSR proposes to broadcast on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region.
November 20th 2006
Channel Maps representing the GE06 Band III DAB Frequency Plan for Europe, the outcome of RRC06, have been published on the WorldDMB website.
November 17th 2006
A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITALSUSSEX. Chill is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono.
November 16th 2006
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on the Block 12C ensemble for the German-speaking region. Engelberg extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS to the town in Kanton Obwalden after which it is named. Confusingly, this is the second Swiss DAB transmitter to be called Engelberg. The other, now perhaps preferably known as Olten-Engelberg, is named after the hill near Olten on which it stands.
November 16th 2006
In Switzerland, the services on the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS now sport PTy.
November 15th 2006
The Swiss regulator BAKOM has altered the conditions attached to its recent advertisement of capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region. Following the adoption by WorldDMB (formerly the World DAB Forum) of AAC+ as an alternative codec to MPEG 1 Layer II, BAKOM has announced that it will more than double the number of available programme slots on the new mutliplex, but using the new AAC+ codec. The cost of carriage for each service awarded will decrease accordingly. A total of 13 applications had been received for the hitherto 3 available slots. Now, 8 programme slots are to be offered. This is still less than the number of applicants under the old terms. A new closing date of December 31st will apply. All applications must be for services currently unavailable on FM in the reception area of the new ensemble. BAKOM also makes the offer conditional on the new DAB standard being formalised by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. BAKOM expects to award the franchises in the spring.
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wohnort comments: There never was going to be a totally painless time to switch to the new standard, but now is as close to an "optimum" opportunity as Switzerland is ever likely to have. The next steps of this process are sure to be keenly observed from across the border in Germany. It remains to be seen what effect the new conditions have on those who had already applied for capacity. After all, no receivers can yet be said to conform to a standard which is still to be formalised. To that extent, BAKOM must be gambling that, even should some entrants decide to drop out - there being no listener base to which to broadcast - enough would still remain to fill the increased number of slots. The BAKOM announcement makes no suggestion of any change to the existing ensembles. Such a change, if and when it were it to happen, would be a more difficult pill to swallow. |
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November 14th 2006
On DRg London, the Service The Storm is now running at the reduced bitrate of 80 kbit/s and has dropped to Mono. The Service Chill is now running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s and has switched to Joint Stereo.
November 14th 2006
NOW Wolverhamptn Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot, the Service the Service Test Transmission (CEC3) has been relabelled Day One Radio. The Service YaaRRadio (C4C4) has been relabelled Punjabi Radio.
November 14th 2006
CE Birmingham Snapshot updated.
November 13th 2006
Full-steam ahead in the Alps! The transmitters map
on the Swiss DAB site has been updated again with further sites indicated as imminent in the French- and Italian-speaking regions.
November 13th 2006
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on the Block 12C ensemble for the German-speaking region. Andermatt (Baezberg) extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS around Andermatt as well as Hospenthal, Göschenen und Wassen. The new site will probably also bring hints of future coverage with partchy reception as far as Oberalp, Furka und Gotthard. Baezburg should be regarded as being under test for about four to six weeks during which interruptions and periods of reduced power may be possible.
November 13th 2006
On NOW Nottingham, the Service Galaxy is running with the changed SId C9CC.
November 13th 2006
MXR WestMidlands Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the packet data service UBC Digital has reappeared. It ceased earlier this year to make room for the experimental downloads Service Heart DMD.
November 13th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LC ensemble Regio ULM updated.
November 13th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LB ensemble Regio STUTTGART updated.
November 13th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LI ensemble Regio MANNHEIM corrected.
November 9th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought another new transmitter into service. Frickberg extends coverage of the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS into the upper Fricktal as far as Herznach and within the triangle Kaisten - Laufenburg - Frick. The new transmitter is currently under test, during which interruptions and periods of reduced power are possible.
November 8th 2006
In Switzerland, the broadcasting regulator BAKOM has announced that in total it received 13 applications for the three programme slots being advertised to commercial broadcasters on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region. BAKOM is expected to award the concessions in April 2007. The three concessions will reserve capacity on the ensemble. The public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is expected to be allocated capacity also. A further concession will then be advertised to operate the ensemble. That operator will be able to make use of remaining capacity itself.
- CASH Classics
- ChartRadio
- Digi-Box
- Groove
- radio.ch
- Radio Eviva
- Radio for Youngsters RFY
- Radio 32 Goldies
- Radiolab
- Radio Top Two
- SoundCity
- Swiss Mountain Holiday Radio
- Swiss Music Radio
November 8th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced that it has applied for capacity to operate two new radio services on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region. The DRS News Programm would be a rotating 15-minute summary of the latest news, intended to begin broadcasting in the late summer of 2007. World Radio Switzerland would be an English-language service based on an existing service provided for the international community in and around Geneva. World Radio Geneva is a partnership between the SRG/SSR and the BBC. The new expanded service would begin broadcasting at the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008.
November 8th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12D ensemble Bayern updated.
November 8th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT updated.
November 8th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 11D ensemble Muenchen BR corrected.
November 7th (2)
Four new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN covering England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Colchester Depot improves coverage to the north east of Colchester. Mansfield extends coverage in the area around Mansfield and to the north of Nottingham. Copt Oak improves coverage to the south west of Loughborough and north west of Leicester. Beecroft Hill extends coverage to the north east of Bradford. UK TII table updated.
November 7th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 11C ensemble Muenchen updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, this multiplex has migrated from L-band to Band III.
November 7th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LD ensemble Ingolstadt updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, a new packet data service has popped up. TPEG Test E shares a subchannel running at 64 kbit/s.
November 6th 2006
A new packet data Service has popped up on Digital1 Network. ITN News is a DMB-IP service running at the 96 kbit/s. Snapshot updated. Almost 28.5% of the capacity on Digital1 Network is now occupied by data (or non-"radio") services, close to the maximum 30% permitted by regulation.
November 6th 2006
The forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region of Switzerland, which already had more applicants than there were spaces on offer, now has another entrant. Radio Eviva, a Swiss folk music programme available until now only via cable or satellite, is the latest group to confirm it has applied for capacity.
November 6th 2006
Snapshot updated of the Block 12A experimental ensemble in Regensburg. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has a new EId (108A) and is labelled BMT Test.
November 6th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12A ensemble Nuernberg updated. This is the first Snapshot since the ensemble migrated from L-band to Band III in June this year. Its former frequency, Block LC is now occupied by the DMB ensemble watcha.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12A ensemble Sachsen K12A updated. The service 89.0 RTL digital is running at the lower bitrate of 128 kbit/s.
November 5th 2006
In Berlin, the Block LA relay of the UK ensemble Digital1 Network has been observed to be using Transmission Mode II, which is optimised for L-band. The relay had previously been seen to be using Transmission Mode I, which is optimised for Band III.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12D ensemble Berlin/BRBG 12 updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, a new Data Service has popped up. EPG is a packet data service using a shared sub-channel which is running at 56 kbit/s.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of Berlin K8 updated.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12B Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ensemble DRN MECKL VORPOM updated.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12D Schleswig-Holstein ensemble DRN Sch-Holstein updated.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12C ensemble DRN HAMBURG updated.
November 5th 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12A Niedersachsen ensemble DRN Nieders. updated. Note that TruckRadio is using Protection Level 1, the maximum protection available.
November 5th 2006
WorldDMB (formery the WorldDAB Forum) has formally announced the adoption of AAC+ as an alternative audio codec for use with Eureka 147 DAB. More...
November 4th 2006
Snapshot of the Netherlands Block 12C ensemble Publieke Omroep updated.
November 3rd 2006
On the German DMB ensemble watcha, the Service big2FMsee has been relabelled Radio big2FMsee. The Service EntertainmentTV has been relabelled P7S1 Mobile. Snapshot updated.
November 3rd 2006
Snapshot of the Block 12B Berlin ensemble FhG FIRST-on-Air updated.
November 3rd 2006
Snapshot of the Block LE ensemble Berlin/BRBG LE updated.
November 2nd 2006
In Switzerland, Radio 32 has announced that it has applied for capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region of Switzerland. The oldies station, broadcasting hits from the 1960s to the 1980s, is available currently only over cable and hopes to reach a wider audience by broadcasting over DAB and, by being available over the entire German-speaking region, massively widen its distribution. The deadline for applications was the end of October. Radio 32 is the fourth commercial radio group to have announced its candidacy to date.
November 2nd 2006
Digital Radio Saar, the DAB operator in Saarland has added a new transmitter to its Block 8B Single Frequency Network. Mettlach extends coverage to Merzig, Mettlach and the surrounding area.
November 2nd 2006
The WorldDAB Forum has renamed itself WorldDMB at its General Assembly in Seoul. The Forum started life as EuroDAB in 1995 and this second change reflects the growing importance of the mobile TV and multimedia capabilities of the Eureka 147 "family of standards".
November 2nd 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has updated the transmitter map on its website and revealed the next phase of its transmitter-building programme. In the north of Switzerland, some sites are already complete but await frequency clearance before activation. A batch of transmitters is imminent in central Switzerland. The new map reveals that the roll-out will now extend to the French-speaking and Italian-speaking regions with new sites due to be built in Suisse Romande and in Ticino.
November 2nd 2006
The Swiss radio station Top Two, until now receivable only via satellite, or in eastern Switzerland over cable, has announced that it has applied for capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Top Two sees a two-fold advantage in winning a DAB concession. It would be able to extend its reach in its existing area to listeners who don't have either satellite or cable, and it would be able to expand its coverage area westwards to include the cities Bern and Basel. The fact that for the first time a radio broadcasting concession will cover the entire German-speaking region of Switzerland could alter the dynamic of the commercial radio market. At the moment, commercial radio broadcasting is locally based. This fact is obviously not lost on those broadcasters who are seeking to be the first players in commercial DAB.
November 2nd 2006
On the Norwegian ensemble Norge Riks, the Service Bandit has been relabeled P4 Bandit.
November 1st 2006
The Swiss companies Zürichsee Medien and NZZ have announced that they have jointly sought capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region to produce a service which will be broadcast exclusively on DAB. If successful, a music service "radio.ch" and an associated data service are expected to begin broadcasting in Basel, Bern and Zürich in the second half of next year.
November 1st 2006
In Switzerland, the transmitter at Bachtel has had its radiated power increased. The result should be an extension of the coverage for outdoor reception as well as an improvement to indoor reception of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Zürcher Oberland.
November 1st 2006
A new Service has popped up in Norway. NRK Folkemusikk is reported to be running at 160 kbit/s in Stereo (presumably Joint). In an interesting, and so far unique, case of "mux hopping", the Service is broadcast on Norge Riks 00:00 - 06:00 and on Region Oslofjord 06:00 - 24:00.
November 1st 2006
In Switzerland, although the public renunciation of DAB by the commercial station Radio 105 made much news last week, Swiss Music Radio has announced that it has applied for capacity on the forthcoming second ensemble for the German-speaking region to produce a service in cooperation with Radio Sunshine which will be broadcast exclusively on DAB. If successful, the broadcaster expects its new Service to begin broadcasting in Basel, Bern and Zürich in the second half of next year.
November 1st 2006
The Medienrat of the Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (SLM) has awarded DMB capacity in Chemnitz, Dresden and the Lausitz to the single applicant MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH. Its service watcha is already running in several German cities and was awarded capacity in Leipzig by the SLM earlier this year.
November 1st 2006
In Switzerland, the transmitter at Sissach has had its radiated power increased. The result should be an extension of the coverage for outdoor reception as well as an improvement to indoor reception of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in and around Sissach, Itingen, Zunzgen, Böckten, Gelterkinden and Liestal. A comprehensive programme of new transmitter building and power increases at existing sites is underway, and further improvements to coverage of SRG SSR - DRS in the German-speaking region and SRG SSR / F in the French-speaking region of Switzerland are imminent.
October 31st 2006
Coding Technologies GmbH has announced that its audio codec aacPlus (aka AAC+ and MPEG 4 AAC+) has been adopted by WorldDAB for use with the Eureka 147 DAB system. Also adopted was a multichannel codec, MPEG Surround. The Coding Technologies presser states that aacPlus has been adopted as "THE new audio codec" (Wohnort's capitals). Presumably they mean "A new audio codec" - the Eureka 147 standard still supports MPEG 1 Layer II. An announcement from WorldDAB confirming the decision is expected shortly.
October 31st 2006
Snapshot added of the Berlin Block LG ensemble BF mobil 0. The broadcasts consist of a DMB service transmitted in and around the U-Bahn stations. According to the Berliner Fenster website, the entire U-Bahn network is now covered.
October 31st 2006
A new Service has popped up on the national Norwegian ensemble Norge Riks. Bandit is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s in Stereo (presumably Joint). The Service NRK Nyheter is running at the reduced bitrate of 56 kbit/s. The Service Moox Radio is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 80 kbit/s and to have dropped to Mono. The Services Bokradioen on Norge Riks and NRK Storting on Region Oslofjord have not been seen for some time and are assumed to have ceased.
October 30th 2006
On the Block 11D ensemble Muenchen BR, the Services Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3 have been relabelled BR BAYERN 1, BR BAYERN2+ and BR BAYERN 3 respectively. Snapshot updated.
October 30th 2006
At a stroke, over three-quarters of a million more Swiss can now receive digital radio with the bringing into service of an important main transmitter site in central Switzerland. Rigi extends coverage of the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS to the city of Luzern and other Swiss towns such as Stans, Emmen and Kriens as well as the areas around the Sempachersee and the Zugersee. By virtue of its location and the higher power levels being introduced in Switzerland, the new transmitter will have a very large coverage area and its activation was delayed by international frequency coordination. To the north, the signal from Rigi should reach as far as Muri in Canton Aargau und Herrliberg on the Zürichsee. As usual, the transmitter should be regarded as being under test for about four to six weeks during which interruptions and periods of reduced power may be possible.
October 26th 2006
In Belgium, the DAB transmitter in Oostende which broadcasts the Block 12A ensemble VRT DAB has been reactivated following work to relocate the antennae.
October 26th 2006
In Switzerland, the operator of two commercial radio stations has announced that it will not be seeking to participate in the second DAB multiplex currently being advertised. Music First Network AG, operator of Radio 105 and Radio Monte Carlo Swiss, says it will await further developments, reasoning that "should DAB develop successfully in Switzerland, further frequencies will be advertised. Radio 105 will then be free to participate in either the third or fourth multiplex." The opposite point of view is illustrated by the headline on the public-service Swiss DAB website... "Radio 105 misses the DAB train".
October 26th 2006
DRg London Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Service Panjab Radio has switched to using Mono LSF.
October 25th 2006
MXR North East, MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire Snapshots updated.
October 24th 2006
In Switzerland, a new transmitter has been brought into service on the Block 12C ensemble for the German-speaking region. Wasserfluh extends coverage of SRG SSR - DRS in and around Olten, Aarau und the surrounding area by reinforcing the signal which hitherto had only been available from Engelberg. As a result, indoor reception should be greatly improved. The transmitter should be regarded as being under test for about four to six weeks during which interruptions and periods of reduced power may be possible.
October 24th 2006
In the UK, the DAB licensing process will resume in November with the advertising of the second national commercial mutliplex. A timetable has appeared on the Ofcom website, detailing the multiplexes to be advertised up to November 2007.
| Advertisement | Multplex | Reserved Capacity |
| November 2006 | National | |
| December 2006 | Herts, Beds, Bucks | BBC Three Counties Radio |
| January 2007 | Derbyshire | BBC Radio Derby |
| February 2007 | Chester & Wrexham | BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Cymru |
| March 2007 | Herefordshire &
Worcestershire | BBC Hereford & Worcester |
| April 2007 | Northamptonshire | BBC Radio Northampton |
| May 2007 | Oxfordshire | BBC Radio Oxford |
| June 2007 | York & Scarborough | BBC Radio York |
| July 2007 | Gloucestershire | BBC Radio Gloucestershire |
| August 2007 | Pembrokeshire &
Carmarthenshire | BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Cymru |
| September 2007 | Guildford | BBC Southern Counties Radio |
| October 2007 | Reigate & Crawley | BBC Southern Counties Radio |
| November 2007 | Lincolnshire | BBC Radio Lincolnshire |
October 23rd 2006
The Final Acts of RRC06 are now available as a download from the ITU website. They contain the Regional Agreement GE06 and the frequency assignment and frequency allotment plans for the digital broadcasting service (television and sound). In an environmentally suspect move, however, the download has been priced the same as the paper version. On the ITU website, the link to the document's Table of Contents is currently broken.
October 23rd 2006
In Germany too, the future use of AAC+ audio coding for DAB is under discussion. According to papers presented at the recent Medientage München, AAC+ is one of a number of matters under discussion between the various Landesmedienanstalten (post-RRC06 frequency planning and the division of capacity between public-service and commercial broadcasters being among the others). The results of the deliberations should become known during November.
October 23rd 2006
In Switzerland, the main transmitter at St. Chrischona, broadcasting the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS, has had its radiated power increased. This should result in an extension of mobile, outdoor coverage and an improvement to indoor reception within the existing coverage area around the city of Basel and the area to the south. The transmitter should be regarded as being under test for about four to six weeks during which interruptions and periods of reduced power may be possible. Following this, St. Chrischona will enter full public service at the new increased levels.
October 23rd (2)
On NOW Nottingham, the Service Chill has popped up, running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. The Service Classic Gold is now running at the reduced bitrate of 96 kbit/s in Mono. The Service Sabras Sound has ceased.
October 23rd 2006
On NOW Leicester, the Service Chill has popped up, running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. The Service Classic Gold is now running at the reduced bitrate of 96 kbit/s in Mono. The Services Asian Plus and Sabras Sound are now running at the reduced bitrate of 64 kbit/s each.
October 23rd 2006
The Service Chill is reported to have popped up on NOWDIGITAL KENT, running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo.
October 23rd 2006
On CE Birmingham, the Service Chill is running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. The Service Century is running at the reduced bitrate of 64 kbit/s Mono.
October 23rd 2006
In Australia, Commercial Radio has announced that the DAB trials in Sydney will shortly test the transmission of AAC+ audio in a Eureka 147 multiplex. Commercial Radio says these will run in parallel with similar trials in the UK. The Australian Government has already made public its preference for the more spectrum-efficient AAC+ codec over MPEG 1 Layer II. Commercial Radio is also to test an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) in co-operation with the UK's Unique Interactive.
October 23rd 2006
A programme of test transmissions is underway using spare capacity on UTV-Emap Stoke. The trials aim systematically to compare the relative transmission performances, both indoor and outdoor, of T-DMB and DAB-IP. The signals are carried on a shared Stream Data sub-channel which may not reveal itself to standard, audio-only DAB receivers. For an additional comparison, a standard (MPEG 1 Layer II) audio service Exp_MPEG1L2 has popped up. From observations of the ensemble, it would appear so far that the experimental services are not left running overnight or at weekends.
October 21st 2006
On Switch Scotland, the SId of Galaxy has
changed from CACC to C9CC. Snapshot updated.
October 21st (2)
On NOW Nottingham, the Service Galaxy 105 has been relabelled Galaxy. An SId change is understood to be imminent, but according to reception reports, this has not yet happened.
October 21st 2006
In Germany, a new multimode portable radio from Morphy Richards has gone on sale. The new model boasts DRM reception at long-, medium- and shortwave, DAB reception in both Band III and L-band as well as analogue AM and FM.
October 21st 2006
In Switzerland, the transmitter at Baden-Hörndli, broadcasting the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS, has had its radiated power increased. This should result in an extension of mobile, outdoor coverage and an improvement to indoor reception within the existing coverage area around Brugg, Baden, Lengnau and Wettingen. The transmitter should be regarded as being under test for about four to six weeks during which interruptions and periods of reduced power may be possible. Following this, Baden-Hörndli will enter full public service at the new increased levels.
October 19th 2006
On the Cardiff and Newport local ensemble NOWDIGITAL C&N, the Service Century has ceased.
October 19th 2006
UTV-EMAP W.YORKS Snapshot updated.
October 19th 2006
In Switzerland, several new DAB transmitters are technically ready to enter service but international clearance has not been forthcoming. The main transmitter Rigi recently underwent modifications to the antenna platform to install DAB and DVB-T antennae. Rigi has not yet received a green light from the French. Along the Rhine, a number of smaller sites is reported by SRG/SSR to be ready but has not been given clearance from the German side.
October 19th 2006
A new Service has popped up on the national Norwegian ensemble Norge Riks. Moox Radio replaces Radio 2 Digital and is running at 192 kbit/s in Stereo. Moox Radio is a commercial radio station operated by Aller Group.
October 18th 2006
A new Service has popped up on NOW Bristol. HA Trial is a pilot project being conducted by the Highways Agency, broadcasting local traffic information. The test transmissions are expected to run for six weeks. More...
October 7th 2006
In France, the Ministry of Culture and Communication is conducting a consultation on the technologies to be used in the introduction of digital radio. The consultation addresses the choice of system(s) to be used; whether one system should be used or whether more than one system should be permitted, the use of Band III and the use or otherwise of Conditional Access. Closing date for submissions is October 24th.
Texte de la consultation en Français...
October 7th 2006
In Norway, two new Services have popped up on the regional ensembles in Oslofjord on Blocks 12C and 13A. NRK Gull (Gold) and NRK Barn (Children) both broadcast at 192 kbit/s except at times when the the regional variations of NRK 1 are broadcasting their own programmes, when their bitrates are reduced. It would appear that when the regional variations are broadcasting a common programme, those Services point to a single audio stream, running at 192 kbit/s. During the regional variations, the individual services run at lower bitrates.
October 6th 2006
An ensemble has popped up in Slovenia. Four audio services of the public-service broadcaster RTV Slovenija are being transmitted at 192 kbit/s each on Block 12B around the capital Ljubljana.
October 6th 2006
BBC National DAB Snapshot updated. The main differences since the last Snapshot was taken are that BBC Radio 3 runs at the higher bitrate of 192 kbit/s for most of the time. The Service BBC 5Live SportX no longer runs with a "barker" when there are no programmes.
October 5th 2006
DAB has arrived in New Zealand. A new ensemble, the first in the country, has popped up in Auckland with nine audio services - a mixture of 128 and 192 kbit/s streams. The test transmissions use MPEG 1 Layer II but BCL, who are conducting the trial, hope to use AAC+ when a full public service is launched. The New Zealand channel raster corresponds to that in use elsewhere, but the numbering is different. Block NZ 11C, which is being used for the tests, corresponds to Block 12C elsewhere. Wohnort will use the NZ prefix in future to denote the New Zealand channels - eg Block NZ 5B (= 6B). Wohnort predicts that insofar as the digital radio audience concerns itself at all with frequencies and channels, some listener confusion is likely, since those receivers that display channel numbers will more likely than not display the non-NZ numbering.
October 5th 2006
The DAB transmitter at Konstanz, broadcasting the Swiss ensemble SRG SSR - DRS, has been reactivated. The transmitter (actually on German territory) operates on Block 12C and was originally brought into service in April but had been accused of preventing reception of the native German ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., operating on the adjacent Block 12B. Konstanz is served from the German side by transmitters at Witthoh and Waldburg, both some distance away, and whose ERP is restricted in the direction of Konstanz in order to prevent signal penetration into.... Switzerland. Konstanz was deactivated in May while legal talks took place between the Swiss and the responsible Landesmedienanstalt in Baden-Württemberg. Konstanz improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Ermatingen - Kreuzlingen region, along with the southern coast of the Bodensee as far as Romanshorn. The transmitter may be under test at the moment and could be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects following the summer shutdown. It has not yet been announced what the engineering remedy will be to the poor reception of the German ensemble. [Wohnort: The obvious solution is a co-sited German transmitter so that both ensembles are transmitted from the same location.]
October 4th 2006
Digital1 Network daytime Snapshot updated. A new Service has popped up since the last Snapshot was taken. C4 Shortcuts is a DMB-IP Service running at 96 kbit/s. The Service ITV 2 has been relabelled ITV 1. The Service BBC News 24 has been relabelled BBC 1. Earlier Snapshots corrected.
October 4th 2006
According to a newsletter published by the World DAB Forum, DAB/DMB test transmissions are underway in Indonesia. An ensemble is reported to have popped up in Jakarta.
October 4th 2006
According to a newsletter published by the World DAB Forum, DAB/DMB test transmissions have been extended to a second Indian city. An ensemble is reported to have popped up in Mumbai.
October 3rd 2006
During a recent trial of a DAB music downloads service in the UK, listeners participating in the trial downloaded on average seven tracks per week at a price of GBP 1.25 per track. The download service was tied into the Chrysalis Radio West Midlands service Heart and the downloads resulted from impulse purchases as the songs were broadcast. This interaction with the radio service differs from 3G model where tracks must manually be searched and found. The results of the UK trial were shared at the Australian Radio Conference in Sydney. Commercial Radio Australia said it is investigating the technology for possible inclusion in the launch of digital radio in Australia in 2009.
October 3rd 2006
Three new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D SFN in England and Wales, Digital1 Network. Basingstoke extends and improves coverage in the surrounding area. Houghton on the Hill extends and improves coverage in Leicester. Mapperly Ridge extends and improves coverage in the area northeast of Nottingham. UK TII table updated.
October 2nd 2006
According to its website, the Romanian commercial radio station Romantic FM is now available on the Block 12A ensemble alongside the services of the public-service broadcaster Societatea Romana de Radiodifuziune. According to the website of the ensemble operator SN Radiocomunicatii, the radio station Pro FM is also broadcast on the ensemble.
October 2nd 2006
On the Block 12A ensemble Rheinland-Pfalz, the Service SWR 2 is reported to have been relabelled SWR2 RP.
October 2nd 2006
On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the Service SWR2 is reported to have been relabelled SWR2 BW.
October 1st 2006
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has place on an embargo on allocations being made in certain frequency bands in order to preserve their availability for future use by DRM. The frequencies are 5950-6200, 7100-7300, 9500-9900, 11650-12050, 13600-13800, 15100-15600, 17550-17900, 21450-21850 and 25670-26100 kHz. It is intended that no new frequency assignments in these bands will be authorised except for certain purposes. The ACMA has announced that it will consider applications for licenses to conduct trials to investigate the use of the bands for DRM.
October 1st 2006
In Norway, Øyvind Vasaasen, the Head of Radio at public-service broadcaster NRK has been answering reader's questions on the Norwegian website VG Nett. He confirmed that new DAB transmitters continue to be commissioned and that coverage should reach 80% of the population within the next year. From May 2nd 2007, all of the Norwegian regions will have two ensembles - the national multiplex and a regional ensemble. Mr. Vasaasen said that Norway secured enough spectrum for DAB at RRC06 to facilitate 20 national services as well as local services for radio and to be able to broadcast mobile television services also. He said that NRK currently has no plans to switch from MPEG 1 Layer II coding on DAB, but that all the radio services of NRK will become available via DVB-T, which is to be rolled out from next year. Those transmissions will use MPEG4 for television from the outset [which will facilitate HDTV - Wohnort] and the radio services also will use MPEG4-AAC coding.
September 30th 2006
It is reported from Norway that the SFN Region Oslofjord has been divided into two.
Transmissions continue now on Block 12C in the North and East of Oslo only, corresponding to the fylker Oslo, Akershus and Ostfold. A new ensemble covering the remainder of the former service area of Block 12C has popped up on Block 13A. The new Region Østafjells comprises the fylker Buskerud, Telemark and Vestfold. The transmitters at Vealøs, Høgenhei, Langangen, Larvik, Sandefjord and Hvittingen which formerly broadcast on 12C have been allocated to the new Block 13A SFN.
September 29th 2006
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D SFN Digital1 Network in England and Wales. Dundry East extends and improves coverage to the southwest of Bristol.
11 further sites have been announced for the next 12 months:-
| East Anglia | Sewards End |
| Essex | Colchester Depot |
| Harlow (Rye Hill) |
| Hertfordshire | Brookmans Park |
| Leicestershire | Houghton on the Hill |
| Copt Oak |
| Monmouthshire | Christchurch |
| Nottinghamshire | Mapperley Ridge |
| Mansfield |
| West Yorkshire | Beecroft Hill |
| Morley |
Digital One still hope to commission a transmitter at Tunbridge Wells, once international frequency coordination hurdles have been overcome.
September 29th 2006
A new service has popped up on the Block 12A experimental ensemble in Regensburg. "ROCK ANTENNE to go" is being transmitted for three hours daily using the AAC codec and as such will be receivable only on DMB receivers (without payment), but not regular DAB receivers. This ensemble is part of a pilot project known as "MI FRIENDS" and was launched officially on the 28th. The ensemble is also broadcasting mobile television services in the DMB standard.
September 29th 2006
The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has increased the proportion of a DAB ensemble that may be used for the use of non-"radio" services. Up to 30% of the multiplex capacity may now be used for the transmisson of data, including multimedia services. The regulatory order was laid before Parliament in time for the launch of the BT Movio service of television services for reception on small portable devices. "Radio Magazine" reports that GCap expects to earn GBP 9 million from the lease of capacity to BT Movio, exceeding its earnings from its own digital radio stations.
September 29th 2006
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has refused a request by Ramanjeet Sivia, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, to broadcast an ethnic digital radio service for Montréal. The applicant proposed to broadcast using capacity on the Block L4 CBC multiplex with programmes in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil languages for the Indian and Pakistani communities. In its refusal, the Commission cast doubt on the applicant's financial projections, noting that speakers of Urdu, Tamil, Hindi and Punjabi in Montréal's central market area represent less than 1% of the population of that area. The CRTC also noted that "issues relating to the technical standard for digital radio transmission" are among those being considered in the Commission's review of radio policy and cited "the uncertainty inherent to the digital radio band". (Wohnort's italics)
September 27th 2006
On the Spanish ensemble MF2, the Service Quiero Radio has been relabelled Kiss FM DAB. The Service RADIO ESPAÑA now broadcasts the programmes of Onda Melodia but has not been relabelled. Note that because of Character Set issues, many receivers - possibly even most receivers - display this service as RADIO ESPAÄA
September 27th 2006
The introduction of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting in Japan is facing a substantial delay, according to a Japanese news agency report quoted by Radio Nederland. Five Tokyo-based commercial radio stations, who had originally planned to begin broadcasting digitally by the end of this year, have postponed the foundation of a joint operating company. The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry intends to allocate the frequency bands to be used in a comprehensive manner, rather than allocating them to be used by digital radio as a priority. Japan has selected the system ISDB-T to be used for both digital radio and television broadcasting.
September 25th 2006
Three Audio Services are reported to have popped up on the L-band ensemble in Südtirol (Alto Adige). Although not labelled as such, they are reported to be carrying the Italian-language Swiss radio networks Rete Uno, Rete Due and Rete Tre.
September 25th (2)
The principal players in French radio, both public-sector and private, have formed a Digital Radio Group and defined a common position with regard to the deployment of digital radio in France. The participants serve between them 90% of the French radio audience, through the commercial radio services Europe 1, Europe 2, RFM, RMC, BFM, NRJ, Nostalgie, Chérie FM, Rires et Chansons, RTL, Fun Radio, RTL2 and the public service channels of Radio France - France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, France Culture, FIP, Le Mouv'. More than 130 independent stations are represented in the group by SIRTI, a syndicate of radio and television independents. The Group considers the evolution of the DAB system to be promising - the 'Le Monde' website is reporting that "DAB+" aka DAB v2, will become the French standard - but recognises that it is not the only means of transmission and judges that radio must be allowed to find a place on the DVB-H and DVB-T networks also.
September 24th 2006
On the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT the Stream Data Service BRpocket has ceased.
September 24th 2006
On the Block 11D ensemble Muenchen BR the Data Service MB MiFriends2 has ceased. Three Audio Services have popped up, Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3, each running at 192 kbit/s and Protection Level 2. The DMB Service Das Erste continues.
September 24th 2006
In Belgium, the data Service TPEG-Daten on VRT DAB is reported to have ceased. The Audio Service Sporza is reported to have returned to the higher bitrate of 160 kbit/s.
September 22nd 2006
The Hamburgische Anstalt für neue Medien has licensed the television service "24" for reception on small portable receivers. The nationwide news and information service is intended to be transmitted using both DVB-H and DMB. An on-air date has not yet been announced, although its sister service "Hamburg 24" is already being broadcast using DVB-H.
September 18th 2006
In Belgium, a new data Service is reported to have popped up on VRT DAB. TPEG-Daten is reported to be running at 16 kbit/s. The Audio Service Sporza is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 128 kbit/s.
September 18th 2006
The German DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up in Saarbrücken on Block LJ and in Hannover on Block LA.
September 18th 2006
The BBC and Arqiva have signed a contract for the design, deployment, and operation of its new high-power digital terrestrial television (DTT) network which will replace both the BBC's analogue television networks and the current low-power DTT network. Arqiva will also build and operate additional transmitters to expand the coverage of the BBC's DAB digital radio network, with the possibility of up to a further 160 new DAB transmitters being ordered in the coming years. The contract for the DAB transmitters runs until 2023.
September 14th 2006
In Berlin, following the IFA, the Block LA relay of the British multiplex Digital1 Network has resumed.
September 12th 2006
A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITAL C&N. Chill is running at 128 kbit/s.
September 9th 2006
On NOW Norwich, the Service Vibe FM has been relabelled KISS.
September 9th 2006
On Sachsen K12A, the commercial broadcasters RADIJOJO! and sunshine have reduced their bitrates from 192 kbit/s to 128 kbit/s. The public-service broadcatsers on the ensemble MDR KLASSIK, DEUTSCHLANDFUNK and DKULTUR and commercial broadcaster 89,0 RTL digital continue to run at 192 kbit/s.
September 9th 2006
On NOW Cambridge, the Service Vibe FM has been relabelled KISS 105 - 108.
September 7th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced a "rash" (for that's how the map of Switzerland now looks!) of building and upgrading works to extend DAB coverage and improve existing coverage for indoor reception. Scheduled for upgrades are the transmitters at Genève Studio, Chalavornaire and Fontanezier in the West Switzerland SFN, SRG SSR / F. In the ensemble covering the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, the sites at Bantiger, Grellingen, St. Chrischona, Uetliberg, Baden Hörndli and Bachtel have been marked for upgrade. It's worth noting that Bantiger, St. Chrischona and Uetliberg are the main transmitter sites for the agglomerations of Bern, Basel and Zürich respectively. New sites for which DAB transmitters have been announced are as follows:-
SRG SSR / F:- La Dôle, Vallée de Joux, Premier, Mont Pèerin, Château d'Oex, Charmey, Gibioux and Fribourg.
SRG SSR - DRS: Ziefen, Läfelfingen and Eggberg-CH in Northern Switzerland and Versam in Graubünden.
SRG SSR I01: Airolo, Pizzo Castello, Brione, Camedo, Monte Mondini, Gorduno, Lostallo and San Bernardino.
These sites are in addition to those listed in the news item from September 3rd (below).
September 6th 2006
On MXR West & Wales, KISS 101 has replaced vibe fm.
September 6th 2006
On UTV-EMAP W.YORKS, the Service YARR Radio (C4C4) has ceased. A new Service has popped up. KISMAT RADIO (C8C0) is running at 64 kbit/s in Mono.
September 6th 2006
The German DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up in Leipzig on Block LJ.
September 5th 2006
The commissioning of a Swiss DAB transmitter site at Herisau-Ramsen is being delayed by objections from local residents who are not primarily concerned about the DAB transmissions themselves but by the mobile telephone services that also propose to use the site. If a solution cannot be found at Herisau-Ramsen, the SRG/SSR say they will look for an alternative site, where the planning process must necessarily begin from scratch.
September 5th 2006
The UK regulator Ofcom has published an assessment of how RRC06 will affect Private Mobile Radio users in the UK. The UK uses two Sub-Bands within Band III, SubBand 1 and SubBand 2 for such services, while the rest of Europe has continued to used them primarily for broadcasting. The UK will continue to use the SubBands for PMR but with much greater restrictions and interference than before. Many users in SubBand 2 will need to migrate to SubBand 1 or out of Band III altogether. Two DAB channels have been allocated in SubBand 1 in neighbouring countries at or near their coasts, resulting in increased levels of incoming interference. Additionally, Ofcom confirms that the UK will probably need to use a SubBand 1 channel (Block 5A) for DAB in South East England, which will impact wireless microphone systems and many other uses of this spectrum over a wide area. Ofcom is producing a Transition Plan to permit allocation holders to migrate and expects to complete this work by April 2007.
September 5th 2006
On the Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep the Service Radio 747 has been relabelled Radio 5.
September 4th 2006
Toronto Snapshots updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Block L6 Ensemble CBC Radio-Canada has been relabelled - DAB Ensemble -. The EId has changed from 13CE to C006 and its Services have new SIds. A Packet Data Service SRC_IP is running at 128 kbit/s.
September 3rd 2006
The transmitter-building programme for Northeast and Central Switzerland now includes two additional transmitters, according to an updated map on the Swiss DAB website. The new sites are at Herisau-Ramsen in Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Geuensee Höchweldwald in Kanton Luzern. The full list of transmitters in the current phase of building:-
Northern Switzerland: Herisau-Ramsen, Wasserfluh, Frick, Reuenthal, Rietheim and Wannenberg (D)
Central Switzerland: Geuensee Höchweldwald , Einsiedeln, Oberiberg, Rigi, Attinghausen, Andermatt, Engelberg, Stalden (OW), Sörenberg, Schüpfheim and Wiggen.
September 3rd 2006
Snapshot of the Block L4 Montreal ensemble CBC Radio-Canada updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Data Service SRN IP has ceased. The Data Service SRC IP now has SId A1C00012. The Secondary Component of Premiere chaine, Prem Nouvelles, has dropped to 56 kbit/s and Protection Level 4.
August 31st (Off-Topic!)
China has adopted a domestically-developed digital television broadcasting system as the national standard. Excitingly named GB 20600-2006, but which could perhaps become known as "SAC" after the Standardization Administration of China which has adopted it, the system will be mandated for Chinese broadcasters from August 1, 2007. The system arises out of two standards which were being developed separately by Tsinghua University and Shanghai Jiaotong University. Hong Kong has been waiting to see which standard would be introduced in the mainland before adopting a system. Now that the Chinese system is known, it remains to be seen whether Hong Kong chooses SAC over its preference from the other three, DVB-T. A standard for broadcasting to small portable receivers has not yet been finalised. Trials of both T-DMB and DMB-IP are understood to be taking place in different parts of the country.
Digital Television Systems Around The World:-
DVB-T: Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand
ATSC: United States, Canada, Mexico, South Korea
ISDB-T: Japan, Brasil
"SAC"(?): China
Argentina officially adopted ATSC in 1998, then announced it would use follow Brasil's choice of system, but actually has DVB-T services in operation!
August 31st 2006
In Canada, the Great Wait continues. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has granted extensions to the deadlines by which time the following DAB services should have become operational:-
Standard Radio Inc.:
CKQB-DR-1 Ottawa; CJAD-DR-2 Montréal; CJFM-DR-1 Montréal
Rogers Broadcasting:
CISS-DR-1 Ottawa; CIWW-DR-2 Ottawa; CHEZ-DR-1 Ottawa
CHUM Limited:
CFRA-DR-2 Ottawa; CKKL-DR-1 Ottawa; CFGO-DR-2 Ottawa; CJMJ-DR-1 Ottawa
Cogeco Diffusion Inc.:
CFGL-DR-1 Montréal
The CRTC website states that the new extensions run until August 31st 2006 (sic) but the CRTC has informed Wohnort that the new extensions in fact expire August 31st 2007.
August 31st 2006
In Berlin, T-DMB tests under the name "RTL mobil" have popped up on Block LA, recently vacated by a relay of the UK ensemble Digital1 Network.
August 30th 2006
The Norwegian public-service broadcaster NRK is to launch two new radio services on DAB on October 12th. NRK Gull (Gold) will offer unique archive radio content from the nation's collective memory. NRK Barn will be a service aimed at children of all ages. A programme to improve reception in the capital, Oslo, is being rolled out with a new transmitter, Røverkollen, in the north of the city, accompanied by an increase in transmitted powers at other sites. On Norge Riks, the Service Bokradioen has ceased. The Service Radio2Digital has been replaced by Moox Radio.
August 30th 2006
Snapshot added of the Block L9 experimental Ottawa ensemble CRC-Ensemble. Note that the ensemble was seen to be using Transmission Mode I, optimised for Band III, rather than the usual L-band modes II or IV.
August 30th 2006
Germany is "sleeping through its digital future", according to Bavarian Media Minister Eberhard Sinner during a visit to BBC Scotland. "Neither the German broadcasters, nor the audiences are at the peak of their technical development. We need a national alliance among providers and users, and political and industrial muscle, in order not to 'miss the boat'." Sinner is to engage with the German Defence Ministry to try to secure the unrestricted use of critical DAB frequencies. "Unfortunately, in Germany, the DAB transmitters are not able to use the sort of radiated powers necessary for indoor reception." [wohnort: This is because of restrictions imposed by the German Defence Ministry on DAB transmitters operating in Channel 12 in order to protect military frequencies in Channel 13.] Yet, according to Sinner, "in Great Britain the problem of guard bands neighbouring military frequencies has long since been solved. What is possible there with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Forces [the British Army] must also be possible in Germany."
August 30th 2006
Norway is to build four new regional DAB ensembles. This news is revealed in the announcement of a contract secured by Factum Electronics to supply audio encoders, servers, multiplexers and management systems to the public-service broadcaster NRK. The announcement also reveals that T-DMB trials have recently been conducted in Denmark, with the participation of Factum.
August 30th 2006
Chill is reported to have replaced The Storm on NOW Wolverhamptn and XFM Scotland on
CE Birmingham.
August 30th 2006
ourkindofmusic has popped up on NOWSwindon. The Service Passion is reported to have ceased.
August 29th 2006
In Berlin, the L-band re-transmission of the UK ensemble Digital1 Network has ceased.
August 29th 2006
In Windsor, Ontario, the Block L19 ensemble CHUM/CBC has ceased.
August 29th 2006
The Final Acts of the RRC06 frequency planning conference have been published by the ITU. The printed document is available for purchase in 1800-page summary form from the ITU website. To have published the complete document would have entailed 70000 pages! Currently no downloadable version is available.
August 29th 2006
The Swiss regulator BAKOM has published maps of the 7 DAB layers of coverage (and the 7 layers of DVB-T coverage) achieved for Switzerland and Liechtenstein at RRC06.
August 29th 2006
It was not always sweetness and light at the RRC06. A BAKOM newsletter describes the four weeks of intensive planning, computation and argument in Geneva. Four planning runs took place, with delegates entering their requirements so that CERN software could determine compatabilies. Without naming them, the BAKOM newsletter claims that certain participating administrations "overplayed their hand" from the outset. Their "unrealistic demands" for spectrum resulted in the first planning run being unable to find workable solutions for some areas of the Planning Region. According to the newsletter, Switzerland and Liechtenstein were severely and adversely affected by the demands of "a neighbouring country". It required the intervention of the Conference Chairman to persuade the responsible administrations to reduce drastically their spectrum demands. The high-point of the arguments was reached late in the evening on June 8th when, according to the newsletter, one particular administration let it be known that it would no longer abide by undertakings it had already given. The newsletter describes tumultuous scenes culminating in the administration finally having to submit to the group pressure of its neighbours.
August 29th 2006
Bayern listing corrected.
August 15th 2006
Snapshot of the Belgian ensemble RTBF.DAB Radio updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the EId has changed to 6005.
August 15th 2006
Snapshot of the Belgian ensemble VRT DAB updated.
August 14th 2006
The Swiss regulator BAKOM has advertised capacity on the forthcoming 2nd ensemble for the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Capacity for three commercial radio services is on offer. Prospective broadcasters may apply for one, two or all of the slots on offer. The Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG-SSR may use up to 25% of the capacity on the ensemble for one or two services, but may pick up any of the advertised capacity left unallocated following this process should there be insufficient or unsuitable applications. All the services on the multiplex must be unique to DAB - that is, none of the programme services on the new ensemble may be a simulcast of an existing service available in analogue form within the reception area. The advertisement covers capacity only - i.e. concessions to operate programme services on the ensemble. A concession to operate the multiplex is being advertised separately. Capacity-holders may apply to operate the ensemble either singly or as a consortium. The multiplex operator would be able to make use of any remaining capacity on the ensemble. The multiplex operator will be expected to cover the agglomerations of Basel, Bern and Zürich within 12 months of the franchise award and to cover at least 80 % of the German-speaking region within 36 months. Applications should be postmarked no later than October 31st 2006. BAKOM expects to award the programme concessions in April 2007 and the multiplex operator concession in May 2007.
August 14th 2006
Snapshot of the Nordrhein-Westfalen ensemble NRW K12 updated.
August 13th 2006
Snapshot of the German national L-band MFN watcha updated.
August 13th 2006
On NOW Bristol, the Service The Storm has ceased. A new Service has popped up. ourkindofmusic is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s in Stereo, probably Joint Stereo.
August 12th 2006
MXR WestMidlands Snapshot updated. The Data Service UBC Digital has ceased. Heart has a Secondary Component, a Packet Data Service Heart DMD, running at 64 kbit/s. The Service LBC has dropped to Protection Level 3 compared with the earlier Protection Level 1 being used by DNN.
August 12th 2006
NOWWolverhamptn Snapshot updated.
August 12th 2006
The BBC has brought into service a new transmitter on its Block 12B SFN. Llanddona extends coverage of BBC National DAB into Anglesey, serving most of the southern half of the island, and improves coverage along the North Wales coast. UK TII table updated.
August 12th 2006
The German commercial radio station OldieStar Radio is broadcasting on medium wave using DRM. The service is broadcast on 1575 kHz from the transmitter site Burg. During a period of test transmissions, OldieStar Radio is broadcast digitally from 10:00 to 16:00 and from 00:00 to 06:00. 20 kW is used during daytime hours, rising to 100 kW at night. At other times, Burg transmits programmes from the Voice of Russia using normal analogue AM.
August 5th 2006
In Germany, the Private Radio and Telecommunications Federation (VPRT) has published a position paper on digital radio. The main points:-
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Radio should not be limited to one means of digital distribution. Both DMB in the immediate term and DVB-H in the medium term appear to the VPRT to be suitable broadcasting standards. The "classic" DAB system should be either modernised or switched off. The Listener will at the end of the day decide the acceptance or otherwise of the systems and offerings.
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Manufacturers should be encouraged to produce integrated receivers combining all the current Standards - FM, DMB, DVB-H.
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The VPRT rejects the proposition that radio frequencies should be auctioned and radio spectrum traded. The plurality of Opinions, Services and Providers should be safeguarded. The VPRT calls for a Master Plan to be produced, and offers to cooperate in its development. The Plan should safguard the retention and further development of existing services as well as the conception of new, including national, services.
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The VPRT calls for one of the DVB-T allocations to be replanned for use by DMB.
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The VPRT states that the distribution of "all public-service services everywhere" would clog scarce radio frequency resources and block the further development of commercial radio. It is the VPRT's view that commercial radio needs to "catch up" in so far as frequency allocation and use is concerned.
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The VPRT warns against multiplex operators being allowed to become "Gatekeepers", controlling access to the digital airwaves. The VPRT believes the multiplex operators should be limited to being merely providers of a technical service. Licences should first and foremost be granted to the broadcaster (the producer of a radio service) rather than to a multiplex operator. Broadcasters should be free to choose whether to use the services of a multiplex operator, or whether to deal directly with a transmission provider. Were licences to be auctioned to multiplex operators, radio broadcasting would become merely a marketable commodity, the broadcasting sovereignity of the Länder obsolete and the Landesmedienanstalten redundant.
[wohnort adds:-
(1) The recent declarations of the private broadcasters and regional regulators have much in common but appear to differ in one important respect. The regional authorities, in the form of the DLM, have declared themselves satisfied with the outcome of RRC06 and believe that there are now sufficient frequency resources to transfer existing services to DAB and to develop new ones. The private broadcasters, in the shape of the VPRT, state that frequencies are scarce and (naturally!) believe the public-service broadcasters should receive a restricted share of the digital spectrum.
(2) The UK model for non-BBC DAB is that it is a multiplex operator who receives a license from the regulator. In order to get on the air, a prospective broadcaster must negotiate carriage on one of the licensed multiplexes. This contrasts with the model used for analogue broadcasting, and supported by the VPRT for DAB, where the broadcaster itself is allocated a frequency (in DAB terms "capacity") and it is then up to the broadcaster to arrange for the technical transmission of the service. In Germany currently, the DAB broadcaster (whether public-service or private) is awarded capacity by the regulator, but must then negotiate the technical transmission with a multiplex operator who has monopoly status in its own area. Those same concerns were at the root of American ambivalence toward DAB, with its use of multiplexes, which led to rejection of Eureka 147 by the broadcasters and the development of the IBOC system.]
Das ganze Positionspapier auf Deutsch...
August 3rd 2006
On the Block 11D ensemble Muenchen BR, the Services Talksport and WM DigitalRadio have ceased. The bitrates of the DMB services on the ensemble have been increased.
July 30th 2006
Switch Scotland Snapshot updated. The Service KERRANG! is running at the reduced bitrate of 80 kbit/s but the Protection Level has increased from 3 to 2. The Protection Level of the Service SMASH HITS! has been increased from 3 to 2 but the bitrate is unchanged at 80 kbit/s.
July 30th 2006
Switch Aberdeen Snapshot updated.
July 28th 2006
On MXR North East, MXR North West, MXR West & Wales, MXR WestMidlands and MXR Yorkshire, the Services DNN have been relabelled LBC.
July 28th 2006
On NOW S&C, the Service Breeze has been relabelled Classic Gold.
July 28th 2006
NOWNorwich Snapshot updated.
July 27th 2006
Snapshot of the Cambridge experimental ensemble updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has been relabelled Arqiva T&D.
July 27th 2006
NOW Cambridge Snapshot updated.
July 27th 2006
In the Republic of Ireland, the RTÉ test transmissions on Block 12C are reported to have ceased. RTÉ has already announced its intention to seek permission to operate a full DAB service.
July 26th 2006
On Switch Aberdeen, the bitrate of KERRANG! is reported to have dropped from 112 to 80 kbit/s. However the Protection Level for the service has been increased from 3 to 2. The Protection Level of the Service KISS is reported to have been increased from 3 to 2. The bitrate is unchanged at 128 kbit/s.
July 26th 2006
In Canada, the great wait continues... The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has approved a request from Sur Sagar Radio Inc. to extend the deadline by which the company should have been transmitting on DAB. The existing deadline expired March 31st this year. The new deadline is August 31st 2007.
July 26th 2006
Two new transmitters have been added to the Block 11D Single Frequency Network in England and Wales, Digital1
Network. Arfon extends coverage to the Lleyn peninsula in North Wales, from Caernarfon to Pwllheli. Llanddona extends coverage into Anglesey, serving most of the southern half of the island, and improves coverage along the North Wales coast.
July 26th 2006
The new Now Digital transmitter at Mansfield has 'punched a hole' in the BBC's coverage in the area. The BBC's reception website reveals that the new Fishpond Hill transmitter broadcasting NOW Nottingham on Block 12C has had an adverse effect on reception of BBC National DAB on the adjacent Block 12B. The area is marginally served presently, the BBC website reports, but "the BBC is looking to see how this can be resolved".
July 21st 2006
A new transmitter has been added to the SFN NOW Nottingham. Fishpond Hill extends coverage to mid-Nottinghamshire, including Mansfield, Market Warsop, Edwinstowe and Tuxford.
July 19th 2006
The L-band ensemble has popped up again in Südtirol (Alto Adige). The Austrian TV service ORF1 is being broadcast on Block LG in the German/Korean "flavour" of DMB, T-DMB. The ensemble is reported to be receivable in the Bozen (Bolzano) region.
July 18th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is reported to be planning an English-language service to be broadcast exclusively on DAB. The new service, working title "World Radio Switzerland", would be modelled on the existing FM station "World Radio Geneva" which broadcasts to the international community in and around the city. WRG is a joint venture involving SRG/SSR, the BBC, Le Temps and Reuters. Currently, SRG/SSR is reported to be studying the financial and legal aspects of launching such a service. SRG/SSR will be permitted to use capacity on the forthcoming second multiplex for Switzerland. The Bundesrat has laid down that the capacity should be used to provide services which are not already available in analogue form in the reception area. Also under consideration are a news and information service and a children's service.
July 18th 2006
Austria achieved all its objectives at RRC06. The leader of the Austrian delegation has described a successful outcome to the five-week conference in Geneva, which secured a total of seven layers of coverage for DVB-T in Bands IV and V, and a further layer in Band III. In addition to the allocations which existed already, RRC06 will permit a further two layers of Band III coverage in Austria for DAB. Mehr auf deutsch...
July 18th 2006
A new Service has popped up on NOW Wolverhamptn. TestTransmission is running at 64 kbit/s in Mono LSF.
DLS = This is a test transmission from Day One radio
July 18th 2006
CE Manchester Snapshot updated. The Service KEY103Manchester was seen to be running in Joint Stereo.
July 18th 2006
MXR North West Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Protection Level of the Service DNN has dropped from 1 to 3.
July 18th 2006
MXR North East Snapshot updated.
July 18th 2006
EMAP Teesside Snapshot updated. Since the last observations, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM North East.
July 18th 2006
EMAP T&W Snapshot updated. Since the last observations, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM North East.
July 18th 2006
In their first analysis of the outcome of the RRC06, the Directors of the Landesmedienanstalten have concluded that Germany now has, in all regions, sufficient frequency resources to transfer existing analogue services to digital and to provide new services. The first step, in the next weeks, is for the Technical Commission of the Landesmedienanstalten, together with the Programme and Technical Commission of ARD and ZDF to produce a frequency plan that will form the basis of agreements to be reached between the Länder and the Bundesnetzagentur.
July 18th 2006
Ofcom, the UK regulator, has confirmed that it expects to advertise the second national commercial DAB multiplex by the end of this year. Several groups are already preparing to enter the contest. The ensemble will be advertised to cover the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, although intitially, while the provisions of RRC06 are phased in, it will not be possible to serve some coastal areas in the south and south east, in Northern Ireland and in some parts of west Wales. The spectrum to be used (Block 11A - TBC) is still in use in parts of the UK itself and will not be fully vacated until the end of 2007. The new national multiplex should be able to launch therefore any time after the beginning of 2008. It is likely that some restrictions to coverage in Suffolk, Sussex and Kent will remain, even after RRC06 has been put into practice. Ofcom also intends to advertise the first in a new wave of local ensembles later this year. The new areas will fill in gaps in the existing provision of local coverage. Ofcom has confirmed that it will license the following areas first: Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire; Derbyshire; Wrexham & Chester; Herefordshire & Worcestershire; Northamptonshire; Oxfordshire; Gloucestershire; York & Scarborough; Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire; Guildford; Reigate & Crawley and Lincolnshire. Ofcom states it would have wished to include North Wales and Northern Ireland in this first wave, but that the necessary frequencies will not become available until they have been vacated by analogue TV in the Republic of Ireland. Similarly, Ofcom wishes to allocate an ensemble for Suffolk and has confirmed that the frequency eventually allocated is likely to be outside the portion of spectrum presently allocated to T-DAB. [Wohnort: The early iterations of RRC06 referred to Block 5A for Suffolk.] Ofcom states it may be possible to license additional local and/or regional multiplexes for areas already served, once the fill-in programme has been completed.
July 14th 2006
A new transmitter has been brought into service on the SFN CE Birmingham. Metropolitan House, at Five Ways, improves coverage of Birmingham city centre and the south of the city. UK TII table updated.
July 14th 2006
Correction: On Digital1 Network, the Packet Data Service Cartoon Network appears to pop up at midnight and run overnight.
July 14th 2006
Snapshot added of BBC National DAB during the weekday "Yesterday in Parliament" and "Daily Service" splits. During these times, the extra programme is broadcast as a Secondary Component of BBC Radio 4. Note that both components are identically labelled.
July 13th 2006
The Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) Public Warning System (PWS) alert messages are broadcast on DAB. During SCDF's monthly testing of the PWS warning siren, a text message is also transmitted simultaneously using the Dynamic Label Segment (DLS) and broadcast across the city state. The SCDF uses DLS to disseminate PWS related and other messages to all DAB radios when the need arises.
July 13th 2006
On the Spanish national ensemble MF2, the Service RADIO ESPAÑA now carries audio from Onda Melodia, a service produced by the company Onda Cero Radio.
July 13th 2006
Australia is to delay the shutdown of analogue TV. "There is insufficient digital take-up to meet the current switch-over date of 31 December 2008 in metropolitan areas," Communications Minister Helen Coonan said. "This date will be reset with a new switch-over target to commence in 2010-2012."
July 13th 2006
On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the Service talkSPORT has ceased.
July 13th 2006
On the Block 12C Nordrhein-Westfalen ensemble NRW K12, the Service WDR Event is reported to have ceased.The Service EINS LIVE diggi is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s and in Joint Stereo. The Service WDR 2 is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 96 kbit/s and in Mono. The Service WDR 2 Klassik is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s and in Joint Stereo. The Service Funkhaus Europa is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s and in Joint Stereo. The Service Verkehrskanal is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 64 kbit/s. The Service WDR-INFO is reported to be running at the reduced bitrate of 40 kbit/s.
July 13th 2006
The President of the Bayerischer Landeszentrale für neue Medien, Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Ring, has warned against a simple auctioning of frequency resources following the RRC06 as proposed by the European Commission with the encouragement of the telecommunications and mobile radio industries. If frequencies were to be allocated purely on the basis of market economics alone, he said, that would not create variety, but rather bare market power, with no consideration either of the role and function of broadcasting, nor the developed dual-system (public and private sectors) which exists in Germany. He described such a process as being unacceptable for both the broadcasters and the German media regulators, the Landesmedienanstalten. The proposal of the EU to auction frequencies is, said Prof. Ring, quite simply unconstitutional. Prof. Ring described the outcome of the RRC06 as generally satisfactory for Bayern, although he raised the prospect of some renegotiation with neighbouring administrations in order to transform a Band III DVB-T allocation into four DMB allocations. [Wohnort adds: The UK is already proposing to dispose of some "broadcast band" spectrum by auction. Ofcom conducted a consultation which closed last month on its proposals to auction L-band spectrum, including frequencies which were planned at Maastricht on the basis of use by T-DAB and S-DAB. Ofcom feels it should not be obliged to licence T-DAB (or variants) services on those frequencies but should be free to allocate to other systems (for example TDD-IP or WiMAX) according to the auction outcome, subject to the protection of T-DAB or S-DAB services on those frequencies in neighbouring territories. Ofcom proposes that the auction process should have concluded by the end of financial year 2006/7.]
July 12th 2006
The DAB specification, also known as Eureka 147, or more excitingly as EN 300 401, has been updated to Version 1.4.1 to codify further the internet protocols capability of the system, enabling audio, video and other data to be broadcast over a DAB network. A number of transmissions using these protocols has already taken place in the UK. A subscription service, BT Movio, will launch later this year. Digital One refer to the new spec. as DMB-IP, but it should be noted that this differs from T-DMB, which is a different approach being implemented in Germany and in Korea. The revised specification is available from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
July 12th 2006
The German website teltarif.de is reporting a slow take-off for subscription DMB in Germany. Six weeks after the public launch of the DMB package marketed as "watcha", the website is reporting the service to have a total of 1400 subscribers.
July 12th 2006
In Schleswig-Holstein, the Unabhängige Landesanstalt für Rundfunk und neue Medien has awarded the operation of the DMB trials to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services. MFD plans to be broadcasting to Kiel and Lübeck by mid-2007.
July 11th 2006
On Digital1 Network, the Packet Data Service Cartoon Network has ceased. Daytime Snapshot updated.
July 10th 2006
The Sächsischer Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien has awarded capacity on the ensemble Sachsen K12A to Truck Radio.
July 10th 2006
On BBC National DAB, the data Service BBC Travel has ceased. Snapshot updated. The remaining Packet Data service BBC Guide (an EPG) has been observed running at the increased bitrate of 56 kbit/s. BBC Radio 5 Live has been reduced to 64 kbit/s. The service BBC 5LIVE SportX has been observed to run at bitrates as low as 32 kbit/s at times. BBC Radio 3 appears to run at 160 kbit/s most of the time.
July 5th 2006
In Austria, the transmission of DAB ORF-WIEN is reported to have ceased on Block 12D and popped up on Block 12B.
July 4th 2006
On MXR Yorkshire, the Service jazzfm.com (CFCD) has been relabelled Yorkshire Radio. Snapshot updated.
July 4th 2006
The Hamburgischer Anstalt für neue Medien has awarded capacity on the Block 12C ensemble DRN HAMBURG to Truck Radio.
July 4th 2006
A new data service has popped up on Digital1 Network. BBC News
24 is running in packet mode at 64 kbit/s. The Service E4 C4 has been relabelled E4. Snapshot of the ensemble's overnight configuration added.
July 4th 2006
On MXR North East, MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire the Service Real has been relabelled REAL.
June 29th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the details of the next phase of its DAB expansion programme. The information is contained in an update to the transmitter map on the Swiss digital radio site. The next phase of the rollout will involve extensions to the network along the Rhein in Aargau and a group of transmitters in central Switzerland, extending DAB coverage into Zug, Schwyz, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Uri and Luzern. One of the sites selected to serve Aargau is situated on German territory and may be subject to the same processes that have delayed the transmitter in Konstanz.
Northern Switzerland: Wasserfluh, Frick, Reuenthal, Rietheim and Wannenberg (D)
Central Switzerland: Einsiedeln, Oberiberg, Rigi, Attinghausen, Andermatt, Engelberg, Stalden (OW), Sörenberg, Schüpfheim and Wiggen
June 29th 2006
On Switch London the Services KERRANG! and THE HITS are reported to be running at the reduced bitrates of 80 kbit/s each.
June 27th 2006
On MXR West & Wales the Service Real has been relabelled REAL.
June 26th 2006
The Austrian ensemble DAB ORF-WIEN is to migrate to Block 12B in July. The ensemble, still classed officially as a test transmission, has occupied Block 12D since 1999.
June 26th 2006
The Unabhängiger Landesanstalt für Rundfunk und neue Medien (ULR) is to investigate the consequences of analogue switch-off for the Danish-speaking minority in Schleswig-Holstein and to explore solutions. Currently, analogue radio and TV signals from Denmark are able to penetrate deep into German territory, while digital coverage matches more closely the border between the two countries and extends much less further. The proposed Danish analogue switch-off date means that from the end of 2007 the minority will be unserved. Satellite reception is not the straightforward solution it might seem. Because of the issue of programme rights, Danish satellite transmissions are encrypted, requiring a card which is available only to residents of Denmark. Furthermore, the Danish transmissions are mainly over Thor, Intelsat and Sirius, rather than the Astra or Eutelsat satellites to which most German installations are directed. The study will also explore the situation of German-speakers on the Danish side of the border in Sønderjylland. The ULR expects the results of the study to be available by the end of this year.
June 25th 2006
ARD and ZDF have issued jointly a robust and strongly-worded denuciation of a plan by satellite operator SES-Astra to begin broadcasting all satellite services with "basic encryption" from next year. In a position paper submitted to the Broadcasting Council of the Länder, the two German public-service broadcasters describe the term used by SES-Astra, "Basic Encryption", as a "misnomer and scam". The broadcasters accuse the satellite operator of seeking to impose technical standards without any good reason for the specifications and of seeking, ultimately, to introduce a far-reaching pay-TV system. The broadcasters say SES-Astra's plan will impose the cost of the PayTV infrastructure onto all viewers, whether PayTV subscribers or not. "Public-service broadcasting must be freely receivable by all, without additional costs or technical outlay", the joint statement concludes. "Public-service broadcasters cannot be told they must either use an encrypted distribution channel or stick to remaining distribution channels."
More from ARD/ZDF...
More from SES-Astra...
June 23rd 2006
In Canada, the great wait continues. The CRTC has extended until August 31st 2007 the broadcasting licences of those DAB services already running and extended to the same date the deadline by which those services licensed but not yet broadcasting must become operational. This latest Decision appears to overturn one announced earlier this year. In April, the CRTC refused to extend the deadlines for services of the OK Radio Group in Victoria (BC) beyond August 31st 2006 and stated that this would be the final extension to be granted. Should the two services, CJZN-DR-1 and CKKQ-DR-1, not be broadcasting by August 31st this year, the CRTC stated, their licenses would become null and void. In today's Decision, the two OK Radio services are included in the list of services to have been granted further extensions. The CRTC is conducting a review of commercial radio broadcasting as a whole in Canada and will publish its determinations at a later date. Today's extensions mean that the CRTC will be able consider these licences afresh, once its review has been concluded.
June 21st 2006
The head of the German DMB operator MFD, Henrik Rinnert, has told the German website teltarif.de that his company is holding out for the radio services on its multiplex to be broadcast using MPEG4/AAC coding rather than MPEG 1 Layer II. When the DMB project was advertised, it was made an obligation that at least one radio service should be transmitted using MPEG 1 Layer II. Rinnert described the contact between MFD and the regulating Landesmedienanstalten as "intensive" and hopes to be able to come to an undestanding but stated that his company will "naturally conform with licence conditions". Rinnert also responded to criticism, from among others the head of the ARD Technical Commission Herbert Tillmann, that the portable receiver being distributed currently, the SGH900 from Samsung, only receives signals in L-band and therefore cannot receive the existing DAB services in Band III nor those DMB services, among them the main German TV network ARD, which have begun in Band III. A dual-band receiver manufactured by LG should become available in August.
June 21st 2006
The website of BBC Reception now lists transmitters at Presely and Carmel, although no formal announcement of the commencement of service has yet been made.
June 21st 2006
On BBC National DAB the Packet Data Service Test BBC Guide has been relabelled BBC Guide.
June 21st 2006
Irish public-service broadcaster RTÉ has announced that it will apply to operate a national DAB multiplex. Test transmissions have been running in the Greater Dublin area since January and the broadcaster will seek to run these as an official public service beginning later this year. Once the service is fully operational, RTÉ plans to "engage with the wider radio industry" for a nationwide DAB roll-out.
June 21st 2006
A treaty agreement has been signed in Geneva at the end of the Regional Radiocommunications Conference (RRC06). The agreement plans the future use of Bands III, IV and V for digital broadcasting using T-DAB and DVB-T in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Iran. In Band III, the Geneva Plan allocates additional frequency resources to DAB on the basis of reliable indoor reception.
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For the United Kingdom, the Plan should permit the early establishment of a second national commercial multiplex on Block 11A (TBC). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands were represented in the UK negotiations. The Plan gives the UK frequency resources to establish local multiplexes in areas not already served. Ofcom, the UK regulator, has already published a list of the areas it proposes to advertise first. Potential applicants for the national licence are already making themselves known. The second national multiplex, if advertised as permitted by the Geneva allocation, would be able to cover the whole of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. If the Channel Islands were to be included in the franchise it appears it would need to be on another Block. Hardly any change to existing allocations appears to be necessary under the new Plan, although Ofcom has already stated that it is prepared to replan existing allocations if it will mean a more efficient use of resources. On the basis of Iterations already published it looks likely that the Plymouth ensemble will at some point migrate to Block 10D.
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For France, where DAB has to date been confined to L-band (apart from experimental transmissions), the Plan allocates frequencies in Band III.
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For Germany, the Geneva Plan allocates frequencies for second multiplexes at Länder level and permits the migration of existing local L-band ensembles into Band III.
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For Ireland, the Plan provides frequencies for three national multiplexes and a mixture of regional and local ensembles.
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For Switzerland, the Plan provides for the ensemble in the French-speaking region SRG SSR / F to migrate from the present Block 12B to Block 12A, enabling coverage of the ensemble to be extended into the Jura. BAKOM, the Swiss regulator has announced that the Geneva Plan will permit seven layers of DAB coverage, comprising a mixture of language-regional, regional and local multiplexes.
In all countries, it should be noted that the existence of an allocation does not mean necessarily that services will be introduced any time soon, if at all. The final use of a particular allocation in the Plan will be up to the regulatory authorities in each country.
June 19th 2006
The parallel transmission of the ensemble Nuernberg on Block LC has ceased. The local ensemble is now running exclusively on Block 12A. In its place, the DMB ensemble watcha has popped up on Block LC.
June 19th 2006
The Service talkSPORT has popped up on Score N.IRELAND, running at 64 kbit/s in Mono.
June 14th 2006
It is reported that a total of six ensembles are operating in Guangdong, broadcasting a mixture of DMB and DAB services. Four ensembles, on Blocks 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are reported to be operated by Guangdong yue guang digital multimedia Broadcasting co.,Ltd. Two ensembles, on Blocks 11C and 11D are reported to be operated by Guangdong Television mobile TV Media co.ltd. In the case of the latter two, the Single Frequency Networks include a transmitter sited at Shenzhen, meaning that mainland DAB/DMB coverage in Guangdong extends right up to the border with Hong Kong.
June 14th 2006
On the Block 12C ensemble in Dublin, the Services Lyric FM, R na G, Today FM and WRN have ceased. Using the capacity made available, test transmissions are being conducted using DAB-IP to broadcast two television services, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, for reception on small portable displays. Two "radio" services remain, which are receivable on existing DAB receivers, Radio 1 and 2 FM. These are engineering tests and do not constitute a public service. They are liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, cessation without notice, or other odd effects.
June 13th 2006
On the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN, the Service talkSPORT has ceased. England play no further matches in Frankfurt am Main.
June 10th 2006
On the Nordrhein-Westfalen ensemble NRW K12, the special-event service WDR EVENT has popped up for coverage of the World Cup. The Service is reported to be running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. The bitrates of WDR 2 Der Sender and WDR2 Klassik have dropped to 112 kbit/s each. The SId of WDR EVENT (D399) is reported to clash with the PI of local FM station Antenne Münster.
June 10th 2006
In Germany, the DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up on Block LK in the region around Gelsenkirchen.
June 9th 2006
The Block 11C ensemble Muenchen has been relabelled Muenchen 11C. The EId is now D073.
June 9th 2006
In München, the DMB ensemble watcha has popped up on Block LG, following the migration of the local ensemble Muenchen to Band III.
June 9th 2006
The ensemble Nuernberg has popped up on Block 12A, running in parallel with the existing transmission on Block LC. The Band III broadcast is due to enter official service on June 14th, on which date the L-band transmission will probably cease.
June 9th 2006
DMB test transmissions have popped up again in Paris on Block 11B. VDL DMB has six Stream Data Services running, and one audio service, TEST, which is running at 128 kbit/s in Joint Stereo.
June 9th 2006
Listings of the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT updated. All Services have new SIds. The Service BFS has been relabelled Bayerisches FS.
June 9th 2006
In Germany, the L-band DMB ensemble DMB Testbetrieb has been relabelled watcha.
June 8th 2006
The Service talkSPORT has popped up on the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., running at 64 kbit/s in Mono.
June 8th 2006
The Service talkSPORT has popped up on the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN.
June 8th 2006
The ensemble broadcasting the DMB multiplex from Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland is reported to have popped up in Frankfurt (Main), not on the expected Block LD but on Block LC.
June 8th 2006
Bayern Digital Radio has announced that the local L-band ensemble Nuernberg will migrate to Band III next week. Transmissions are expected to begin on a temporary frequency allocation, Block 12A, from June 14th. Meanwhile, the migration of the local ensemble Muenchen is scheduled to be completed overnight tonight, with the cessation of the parallel transmission in L-band .
June 8th 2006
On the Nordrhein-Westfalen ensemble NRW K12, the bitrate of DEUTSCHLANDFUNK has dropped to 128 kbit/s. The bitrate of DKULTUR has increased to 192 kbit/s.
6.6.6
On Sydney Mux1 9a, the Service WSFM has ceased. A new Service has popped up. Mix FM (2006) is reported to be running at 192 kbit/s in Stereo. On Sydney Mux2 9b, the Services 2SM and Triple M are now running at 192 kbit/s. The Packet Data Service Test Channel B has ceased. The Packet Data Service Test Guide is now running at 32 kbit/s. On Sydney Mux3 9c, the Service 2UE has dropped temporarily into Mono at 192 kbit/s. The Packet Data Secondary Component of 2GB has been relabelled 2GB Guide. The L-band ensemble on Block LS continues to be a relay of Sydney Mux1 9a.
June 5th 2006
The ensemble broadcasting the DMB multiplex from Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland is reported to have popped up in Hannover.
June 5th 2006
UK television broadcaster Channel 4 has launched a website offering on-demand radio programmes and announced its intention to apply for the forthcoming second national commercial DAB multiplex, promising that Channel 4 Radio will "do it first, inspire change, make trouble".
June 5th 2006
SRG SSR - DRS Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Service MUSIGWAELLE 531 has been relabelled DRS MUSIGWAELLE.
June 3rd 2006
The Block 11C ensemble Muenchen has been relabelled Muenchen 11C. It seems likely that the Block LG parallel transmission has also been similarly relabelled. The confusing DLS accompanying the Service * NOVA * RADIO * advises that the service will no longer be available on "this" (sic) frequency from 0:00, June 9th, and that listeners should retune to Block 11C, where, presumably, they will be greeted with the same message! It seems likely that Block LG will cease to carry this multiplex at that time. The Service DELUXE has been relabelled Deluxe Digital.
June 3rd 2006
A new Service has popped up on Berlin/BRBG 12. Talksport is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s.
June 3rd 2006
On Switch London, the Service PrimeTime Radio has fallen silent.
June 2nd 2006
Schweizer Radio DRS has reported that the ensemble in Ticino (Tessin), SRG SSR I01, has now entered full official service, following the period of test transmissions since the SFN was activated.
June 2nd 2006
The German DMB service has been launched with broadcasts which initially will serve Berlin, Frankfurt (Main), Köln, München and Stuttgart. The package is being marketed under the brand name "watcha". MFD, the company licensed to conduct the transmissions, hopes to expand the coverage area to include "40 to 45 towns ... around 25 million people" by the end of 2006. Several Internet forums and media outlets have commented on the fact that the single "radio" programme included in the multiplex is being broadcast in MPEG4/AAC+. Under the terms of the franchise award, the operator is obligated to provide at least one "radio" service, public-service or commercial, in the normal DAB MPEG1 Layer II. It remains to be seen how the Landesmedienanstalten, as well as the rival prospective operators who were unsuccessful in their bids, react to an operation which, so far at any rate, does not conform to the conditions under which it was advertised.
June 1st 2006
In Frankfurt am Main, the ensemble DMB Testbetrieb is reported to have popped up on Block LC. The ensemble is already running in München on Block LC, in Stuttgart on Block LO and in Köln on Block LD.
June 1st 2006
In München, an ensemble has popped up again on Block 11C. Muenchen is broadcasting in parallel with the Block LG transmission. The Block 11D ensemble Test K11 D has been relabelled Muenchen BR. The Block 12A ensemble has been relabelled Muenchen IRT. Listings updated.
June 1st 2006
On Score N.IRELAND, the Service Prime Time Radio has ceased.
June 1st 2006
A new Service has popped up on the L-band ensemble LG FRANKFURT M.. Truck Radio is running at 128 kbit/s.
May 30th 2006
The Block 11D ensemble in München, Test K11 D, has been relabelled
DMB 11D and currently carries two audio services and three DMB streams. Listing updated.
May 30th 2006
Correction: The Block L6 ensemble in Toronto, CBC DAB, has been relabelled
. DAB Ensemble .
May 28th 2006
On the L-band ensemble Muenchen, Deluxe Digital has been relabelled DELUXE.
May 28th 2006
At the present time, there appears to be a total of four ensembles on air in Prague, on Blocks 10A, 12C, 12D and LC. Two of the ensembles (Blocks 12D and LC) appear to be broadcasting in parallel, but details about DAB in the Czech Republic are scarce. Further info would be most welcome.
May 27th 2006
CAPITAL KENT is reported to have been relabelled NOWDIGITAL KENT.
May 27th 2006
Snapshot of the ensemble EuroDAB Italia updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Services Digital Caroline, Hit Channel SAT, TopDigital Gold, DataService, PRETIO and RTL Data have ceased. New Audio Services are running:- Radio Vaticana, RTL 102.5 WORLD and RTL102.5 CLASSIC. A new Stream Data Service is running, RTL 102.5 TV.
May 27th 2006
Entry for the Ayr local ensemble updated. The multiplex is now owned by Arqiva. The Ensemble Label continues to read Score Ayr.
May 27th 2006
A new Service is reported to have popped up on Berlin/BRBG LE. The Voice of Russia is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s in Stereo.
May 27th 2006
UK TII table updated.
May 26th 2006
Snapshot added of the ensemble in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, SRG SSR I01.
May 26th 2006
Snapshot of UTV-Emap Stoke updated.
May 26th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LO Stuttgart ensemble DMB Testbetrieb added. It is believed that currently the same multiplex is being transmitted by all the L-band DMB ensembles in Germany.
May 26th 2006
Snapshot of the Block LB ensemble Regio STUTTGART updated.
May 26th 2006
A new packet data Service has popped up on the Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep. PO_packet is running at 8 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
May 25th 2006
The Cardiff & Newport local ensemble, CAPITAL DIGITAL is reported to have been relabelled NOWDIGITAL C&N.
May 25th 2006
The Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (SLM) has advertised capacity on the Band III ensemble Sachsen K12A, which is broadcast on Block 12A in West Sachsen and Block 5C in East Sachsen. On offer are a maximum of 132 Capacity Units for a 24-hour programme service which may be neither completely nor partly identical to any service already on offer in Sachsen on FM. The service should also offer a different programme format to those currently available on FM. The new service would be expected to carry PAD. Closing date for applications with the SLM is June 1st.
May 25th 2006
On Switch London, the Service M.O.R. MUSIC has been relabelled PrimeTime Radio. Snapshot updated.
May 25th 2006
The BBC has announced that at least 10 and potentially a further 160 new transmitters will be added to the SFN BBC National DAB, beginning in 2007. The transmitters will be operated by Arqiva, which has been selected by the BBC as its preferred supplier for a range of new transmission services. The exact locations of the transmitters are still to be agreed and the BBC hopes to confirm the precise details in due course. National Grid Wireless will continue to operate the existing 90-transmitter national DAB digital radio network.
May 24th 2006
Capital Hants has been relabelled NOWDIGITAL HANTS. Snapshot updated.
May 24th 2006
A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITALSUSSEX. Passion Radio is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono.
May 24th 2006
Digital Radio Südwest, the DAB network operator in southwest Germany, has announced the doubling of the transmitted power of the Block LB ensemble Regio STUTTGART from the transmitter Frauenkopf. From June 1st, the transmitter will run at 1kw.
May 24th 2006
The Hamburgische Anstalt für neue Medien has licensed a regional information and service programme for reception on small portable displays to be integrated into the national DMB trials. The incorporation of the local service into the national trials suggests that, in Hamburg at least, a unique multiplex may be running, rather than one national multiplex running on different frequencies in each locality.
May 24th 2006
In Lombardia, an ensemble HARRIS Ensemble (F001) has been observed on Block 8C where previously C.R.DAB (5001) was receivable. The new ensemble was seen to be running with two subchannels but only one Service flagged, a packet data service Stefano Service. Snapshot added.
May 24th 2006
CAPITAL SUSSEX has been relabelled NOWDIGITALSUSSEX.
May 24th 2006
On Digital1 Network, the Service PrimeTime Radio has ceased. Snapshot updated.
May 24th 2006
On NOWSwindon, the Service Swindon FM has ceased.
May 24th 2006
A new Service has popped up on CE Manchester. Kerrang! is running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. The Service KEY103Manchester has been reduced from 160 to 128 kbit/s, however the Service appears still to be running in discrete Stereo, rather than the more usual Joint Stereo. Snapshot updated.
May 15th 2006
The lawyers are batting first in the match between Switzerland and Germany over the Block 12C transmitter at Konstanz, broadcasting the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS. The Swiss DAB website reports that "legal clarifications" are underway between the SRG/SSR and the Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg, meaning that a technical solution is still some way off. See May 11th report for background.
May 15th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is reported to have decided to accelerate the roll-out of DAB transmitters. Under the latest timetable, the final areas in the plan, Wallis und Graubünden, should be covered by the end of 2008, rather than in 2009 as originally scheduled.
May 12th 2006
The Landesanstalt für Medien Nordrhein-Westfalen (LfK) has announced that test transmissions will begin at the end of May to explore ways of unifying the the distribution of multimedia content into a single protocol to be known as DXB. This uses Internet Protocol and, having lot in common with DVB-H and MBMS, could facilitate the distribution of services to the different platforms, whether they be DAB, DVB-T, DVB-H or UMTS.
More...
May 11th 2006
The recently-activated transmitter at Konstanz, broadcasting the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS to the Ermatingen - Kreuzlingen region of Switzerland, along with the southern coast of the Bodensee as far as Romanshorn, has had to be switched off because of complaints from Germany. The transmitter (actually on German territory) operates on Block 12C and has been accused of preventing reception of the native German ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., operating on the adjacent Block 12B . Konstanz is served from the German side by transmitters at Witthoh and Waldburg, both some distance away, and whose ERP is restricted in the direction of Konstanz in order to prevent signal penetration into.... Switzerland.
May 9th 2006
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has decided to extend current Eureka 147 digital radio trials in Sydney and Melbourne until 30 June 2007. The trials, using VHF Band III spectrum, are being conducted in Sydney by Commercial Radio Australia and in Melbourne by Broadcast Australia. The ACMA states that there is additional VHF spectrum available for Eureka 147 in Melbourne and other areas and encourages applications from other parties who may be interested in conducting tests. The ACMA has stated that it is also willing to facilitate trials of other digital radio technologies, including DRM, IBOC and ISDB-TSB. The ACMA reveals that in Sydney, Commercial Radio Australia's measurements during the tests have confirmed that brick and wood dwellings have the lowest signal losses while shopping centres have the highest, but found little difference between L band and VHF band III penetration for steel and concrete structures. The ACMA reveals that in Melbourne, Broadcast Australia would like to test a variant of DAB which would employ AAC+ coding, and which has become known as DAB v2 or DAB+. The government has said it will allocate broadcasters 128 kbit/s per service and there is the potential for an improved audio quality if AAC+ could be used. Any services broadcast using the new codec would of course be incompatible with current DAB receivers.
May 8th 2006
Band II test transmissions have begun in Switzerland using the proprietary American IBOC ("HD Radio") system. The transmitter, on the Rooterberg, is broadcasting the service Radio Sunshine on 88.0 MHz. The tests are expected to last two years and are to establish the suitability or otherwise of the American system in the Swiss topography.
May 6th 2006
ScoreEDINBURGH Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Services Forth One, FORTH 2 and 3C, Cool Country are running at the increased Protection Level 2.
May 6th 2006
Score Ayr Snapshot updated.
May 5th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Weiningen-Haslibuck extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS to provide good indoor reception in the Frauenfeld region, including Pfyn, Gachnang, Altikon and Bertschikon. Following this latest activation, there is now uninterrupted DAB coverage along the motorway (divided between the western and eastern ensembles) between Geneva and Romanshorn. The transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects.
May 5th 2006
The Service WILANTIS has popped up on the L-band ensembles HALLE and MAGDEBURG.
May 4th 2006
Capital Hants Snapshot updated.
May 4th 2006
A new ensemble has popped up in Stuttgart on Block LO. DMB Testbetrieb is reported to contain six services.
May 4th 2006
A new ensemble has popped up in München. The Block LC transmissions are reported to be broadcasting the Service ZDF in DMB.
May 3rd 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has reactivated its new transmitter at Flurlingen-Cholfirst to serve the city of Schaffhausen. The transmitter, originally commissioned in March, had promptly to be taken out of service again, because the cable network in the city used Channel 12 for the distribution of the main Swiss-German station SF1. Since then, the cable network has begun parallel transmission of SF1 using Channel S19 for the benefit of those installations affected. The Cholfirst transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects.
May 2nd 2006
On Regio FREIBURG, Regio KARLSRUHE and Regio MANNHEIM the Service Radio L-FUN has ceased.
May 2nd 2006
Saarland listing updated. The L-band ensemble is reported to be on air with seven audio services.
May 2nd 2006
On CATALUNYA RADIO the Service CATALUNYA INFO (E233) is reported to have been relabelled iCat fm and the Service CATALUNYA CULT (E234) relabelled CATALUNYA INFO.
May 1st 2006
Several websites are reporting that the Swiss Bundesrat (Federal Council) directive which lays down the framework for the second DAB ensemble in the German-speaking region of Switzerland limits the participation of the public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR to one Service. This is not stated in the March 29th directive. The Bundesrat establishes only a minimum proportion - 75% - of the multiplex capacity which should be reserved for use by private-sector broadcasters. The SRG/SSR is free to use the remaining capacity. Furthermore, should there be insufficient suitable applicants to use the capacity which has been reserved for them, the directive allows for the remainder to be picked up by the SRG/SSR. All the services on the multiplex must be exclusively-DAB - that is, not available on analogue radio in the region. The directive also sets an upper limit - one eighth - of the multiplex capacity which may be used for data or other non-"radio" services.
German Text of the Directive
French Text of the Directive
Italian Text of the Directive
April 30th 2006
A new Service has popped up on the Frankfurt L-band ensemble LG FRANKFURT M.. WILANTIS is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s in Stereo, probably Joint.
April 30th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Wattwil extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Toggenburg region, including Bütschwil, Lichtensteig, Wattwil, Ebnat-Kappel and Nesslau. The transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects.
April 27th 2006
In München, the ensemble TEST IRT K11 has ceased on Block 11C and popped up on Block 12A. It is not yet known whether the ensemble has been relabelled. This is understood to be a necessary precursor to the relocation of the L-band ensemble München in Band III.
April 27th 2006
The UK Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has launched a consultation on a proposal to raise from 20% to 30% the proportion of the capacity on a DAB multiplex which may be allocated to data or other non-"radio" services. Currently, BT Movio broadcasts three television (for small displays) services using DAB-IP on the national commercial multiplex Digital1 Network. BT Movio would like to increase this portfolio from three to five. Improvements to the coding process should allow the new services to be accomodated within the existing capacity in about 18 months. In the meantime, BT Movio would like to transmit the new services using additional capacity. The consequential reduction in capacity available for "radio" services means that Digital One would like during that period to reduce one of the existing stereo services to mono, which is permissible under the existing licence, and to reduce a second stereo service to mono which would require Ofcom consent. The closing date for responses to the DCMS consultation is June 12th, 2006.
April 26th 2006
The New Zealand DAB test transmissions scheduled to begin in September will use Band III. According to THL, the Waiatarua site in West Auckland will be used to transmit the 12-month trial service on Block 11C.
April 26th 2006
The Hong Kong test transmissions have again ceased following a temporary resumption during April. The reason for the resumption (now confirmed to have been DAB) has not been confirmed, but they are known to have coincided with a consumer electronics fair being held in the SAR. The transmissions are now once again "suspended until further notice".
April 26th 2006
It is reported from Switzerland that the cable company in Schaffhausen has begun a parallel transmission of the television service SF1 on cable channel S19. When the existing distribution of SF1 on Channel 12 ceases, that should permit the resumption of DAB transmissions from Flurlingen-Cholfirst. The Block 12C transmitter was originally activated in March but had promptly to be taken out of service because of interference to the cable network in the city.
April 26th 2006
On Capital Hants, the Service OCEAN FM is reported to have been relabelled OCEAN.
April 26th 2006
In Baden-Wüttemberg, the Landesanstalt für Kommunikation (LFK) has rejected opposition from one of the unsuccessful applicants to the awarding of the operation of the forthcoming DMB trials to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland (MFD). Walk'n
Watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH (Walk'n Watch) had complained that the LFK's decision was not covered by Baden-Württemberg law. Walk'n Watch has launched an action in the courts to have the decision overturned. The LFK decision was supported by the other Landesmedienanstalten in Germany, who also awarded the DMB trials in their respective Länder to MFD, apart, so far, from the Schleswig-Holstein Unabhängige Landesanstalt für Rundfunk und neue Medien, whose own announcement is imminent. The MFD proposition is for a package of four television services (for small displays) and two radio services receivable on portable receivers against a monthly subscription of between 7 and 10 Euros. It is hoped that the services will be up and running in time for the World Cup.
April 26th 2006
UK TII table updated.
April 23rd 2006
The L-band ensemble in the Köln region, Cebit 2006, is reported to have been relabelled DMB Testbetrieb.
April 21st 2006
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has received an application from Ramanjeet Sivia, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, to operate a digital radio service in Montréal, using capacity on the CBC Radio-Canada ensemble transmitted on Block L4. The applicant proposes to serve the Indian, Pakistani and South Asian communities of Montréal by offering programming in the Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil languages. The CRTC will consider the application at a public hearing to be held in Edmonton, Alberta, on June 19th.
April 21st 2006
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D Single Frequency Network in England and Wales, Digital1
Network. Preseli extends coverage in south-west Wales and is the 100th transmitter to be commissioned by Digital One.
April 20th 2006
DAB transmissions are to begin in New Zealand. A 12-month pilot transmission has been announced to cover a large part of the Auckland area, starting September 2006.
April 18th 2006
In Canada, the great wait continues, but...
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has granted to the OK Radio Group Ltd. an extension to the deadline by which its services were to be transmitting on DAB in Victoria, BC. The current deadline expired on March 19th 2006. OK Radio had applied for a twelve month extension but the CRTC has refused to extend the deadline beyond August 31st 2006, the date on which the original licence was due to expire. The CRTC has stated that this is the final extension which will be granted, and that if the two OK Radio services, CJZN-FM and CKKQ-FM, are not broadcasting on DAB by that date, then the licences will become null and void.
April 18th 2006
The BBC has brought into service another transmitter as part of its DAB Expansion Programme. Penrith extends coverage of BBC National DAB to the town and surrounding parts of Cumbria.
April 13th 2006
In Hong Kong, public-service broadcaster RTHK has announced that test transmissions are underway again in the SAR, though without mentioning which system is under test this time. The announcement on the broadcaster's website reads in full "This temporary trial approval will last from April 10 to 23, 2006 inclusive. Thank you."
April 13th 2006
In Canada, the great wait continues. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has received an application from Sur Sagar Radio, Inc. for an extension to the deadline by which its service was to be transmitting on DAB in Toronto. The current deadline expired on March 31st 2006. Sur Sagar has applied for a twelve month extension. This is the third time since the CRTC originally approved the service in April 2003 that Sur Sagar has requested an extension.
April 13th 2006
A new transmitter has been added to the Block 11D Single Frequency Network in England and Wales, Digital1
Network. Penrith extends coverage to the town and surrounding parts of Cumbria.
April 13th 2006
In the UK, GCap Media, who are majority shareholders in the national commercial ensemble, Digital1
Network, have announced they will not now seek a Judicial Review of Ofcom's decision to advertise a second national commercial multiplex. Rather, they intend actively to participate by applying for the second licence as part of an industry consortium. Ofcom has already announced its intention to advertise the licence subject to a successful outcome at RRC06.
April 12th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. The Pfänder (actually on Austrian territory) improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Bodensee region from Romanshorn to Rheineck/Au. The transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects.
April 12th 2006
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Hessen to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
April 12th 2006
The Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Bayern to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
April 12th 2006
The Niedersächsische Landesmedienanstalt has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Niedersachsen to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
April 8th 2006
LG FRANKFURT M. Snapshot updated. Despite an error-free signal being received from the Band III ensemble in Hessen, the FIC was not compatible with the test receiver and could not be decoded.
April 7th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Konstanz (actually on German territory) improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Ermatingen - Kreuzlingen region, along with the southern coast of the Bodensee as far as Romanshorn. The transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent. The 100 Swiss Francs price barrier has now been broken by a Band III DAB and FM portable receiver on sale from Media Markt for CHF 99,00.
April 7th 2006
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt has awarded capacity on the L-band ensembles in Halle and Magdeburg to WILANTIS, the speech based station whose programmes specialise in "Science, Research Technology and Innovation".
April 7th 2006
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk has awarded capacity on the L-band ensemble in Frankfurt am Main to WILANTIS, the speech based station whose programmes specialise in "Science, Research Technology and Innovation".
April 7th 2006
The Hamburgische Anstalt für neue Medien has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Hamburg to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
April 7th 2006
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has made spectrum available in the MF AM band on 1386 kHz in the Wollongong region for a DRM digital radio trial to be conducted by TJH Systems for a period of six months from 1 April 2006.
April 7th 2006
On CE Manchester, the Service XFM UK is reported to have been relabelled XFM Manchester.
April 6th 2006
ScoreGLASGOW Snapshot updated.
April 6th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Engelberg improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Olten region, enabling continuity of coverage along the A1 between Bern and Zürich. Engelberg is the first site to be running at a higher power level than the those commissioned to date, which should result in good indoor coverage in the region of Olten, Aarau and Lenzburg. The transmitter is under test at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other
odd effects. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent.
April 6th 2006
Snapshots of Rheinland-Pfalz and Regio Rheinl-Pf. updated.
April 5th 2006
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt (MSA) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Sachsen-Anhalt to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years, after which a decision will be made whether to extend it. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
April 5th 2006
A new L-band ensemble has popped up in the Köln region. Broadcasting on Block LD, Cebit 2006 carries five DMB services with a signal that reaches Düsseldorf. Snapshot added. Snapshot of the Block 12D ensemble NRW K12 updated.
April 5th 2006
The list of DAB transmitters on the BBC's reception advice website indicates that a DAB transmitter has been brought into service at High Hunsley, improving coverage of BBC National DAB in the Humberside area.
April 5th 2006
TWG-EMAP Stoke is reported to have been relabelled UTV-EMAP Stoke.
April 1st 2006
The Service Zeitansage is reported to have reappeared on Rheinland-Pfalz. The service consists of a time of day announcement, followed by a spoken "Peep" and had acquired something of a cult status prior to its cessation at the beginning of March... honestly!
March 31st 2006
EMAP Leeds snapshot updated.
March 31st 2006
NOW Ex & Tor snapshot updated.
March 30th 2006
The Unabhängige Landesanstalt für Rundfunk und neue Medien (ULR) has received applications from five groups wishing to be involved in the DMB trials to be conducted in Schleswig-Holstein in conjunction with the other Länder.
- big4 (Radio/Tele FFH GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG, Antenne Bayern GmbH & Co. KG, Hit Radio Antenne and radio ffn)
- Western Star Western Star GmbH
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH
- Walk'n Watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH
- TruckRadio radio starlet programm- und werbegesellschaft mbH
The ULR expects to reach a decision at its next meeting on April 19th.
March 30th 2006
Following last month's auction, the Malta Communications Authority has formally awarded the country's four DAB frequencies to Digi B Ltd. Subject to international clearance, the ensembles will operate on Blocks 5D, 6A, 6C and LP. Digi B expects to begin constructing the DAB networks in June and to issue a formal invitation to tender to broadcasters interested in using capacity on the four ensembles.
March 30th 2006
TWG-EMAP Swansea has been relabelled UTV-EMAP Swansea. Snapshot updated.
March 30th 2006
TWG-EMAP W.YORKS has been relabelled UTV-EMAP W.YORKS. Snapshot updated.
March 30th 2006
NOWWiltshire snapshot updated.
March 29th 2006
The Swiss Bundesrat (Federal Council) has approved a second DAB ensemble for the German-speaking region. The new ensemble should primarily be for the transmission of new Services from private broadcasters, but should also be open to use by the SRG/SSR, Switzerland's public-service broadcaster. The new ensemble will most likely use Block 11C. The process of advertising capacity should take place in the Summer of 2006. BAKOM, the Swiss regulator, forsees second DAB ensembles in both the French- and Italian-speaking regions also.
March 29th 2006
NOW Cornwall and NOW Plymouth Snapshots added.
March 29th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of two new transmitters as part of its DAB expansion programme. Rüthi Bismer fills the gap between the recently-commissioned transmitters Valzeina and St. Peter & Paul and should ensure uninterrupted DAB coverage along the Autobahn stretch between Romanshorn and Chur. Zürichberg improves coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS in the Zürich agglomeration, supplementing the signal already available from the Üetliberg, and extends coverage from Bülach in the north almost as far as the Vierwaldstättersee. Both new sites are conducting test transmissions at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent.
March 29th 2006
Snapshot of the Irish ensemble on Block 12C updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has switched to using the more usual (for Band III) Transmission Mode I. On this occasion, the test receiver indicated that TII codes were being transmitted. Note that the Full 16-character Service Labels are shown, although none of them is longer than 8 characters. Some of the Service Component Labels differ from the Service Labels. These are engineering tests and do not constitute a public service. They are liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects. RTÉ intends to apply to begin a public service later in the year, assuming the tests to be successful.
March 22nd 2006
The Sächsischer Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (SLM) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Sachsen to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts for three years, at the end of which the SLM will decide whether to prolong it by up to two years. Additionally, the SLM decided to allocate L-band capacity in Chemnitz and Dresden for the DMB trials. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
March 17th 2006
The Thüringer Landesmedienanstalt (TLM) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Thüringen to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts three years, after which a decision will be made whether to extend it. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
March 17th 2006
The Landesmedienanstalt Saarland (LMS) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Saarland to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
March 17th 2006
The Landesanstalt für Medien Nordrhein-Westfalen (LfM) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Nordrhein-Westfalen to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts for four years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
March 17th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another new transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. St. Peter und Paul extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS to the St. Gallen and Arbon region, and also to the Bodensee area from Rohrschach to Romanshorn. These are test transmissions at the moment and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power, and other odd effects. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent.
March 15th 2006
In the last few days, Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR brought into service a new transmitter at Flurlingen-Cholfirst to serve the city of Schaffhausen. The transmitter had promptly to be taken out of service again, because the cable network in the city uses Channel 12 for the distribution of the main Swiss-German station SF1. Flurlingen-Cholfirst will be reactivated as soon as the channel allocation of SF1 in the cable network has been changed.
March 8th 2006
DMB test transmissions have begun in Rheinland Pfalz. Running in a Data Subchannel on the Blocks LB and LF ensembles Regio Rheinl-Pf., these initial tests are scheduled to last 10 days. The two ensembles together cover the region between Mainz and Neustadt/Weinstraße.
March 7th 2006
The Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg (LFK) has awarded the operation of the DMB trials in Baden-Württemberg to Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH (MFD). The concession lasts for eight years. MFD plans to run up to four television (for small displays) and two radio services.
March 7th 2006
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk (LPR) has received applications from seven groups wishing to be involved in the DMB trials to be conducted in Hessen in conjunction with the other Länder.
- big4 (Radio/Tele FFH GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG, Antenne Bayern GmbH & Co. KG, Hit Radio Antenne and radio ffn)
- Western Star Western Star GmbH
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH
- musikpark.tv anixe TV GmbH & Co. KG
- Handy Mix Walk'n Watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH
- MonA.TV Betreibergesellschaft RegioOnline mbH
- TruckRadio radio starlet programm- und werbegesellschaft mbH
The LPR expects to reach a decision at the beginning of April.
March 6th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has announced the bringing into service of another new transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Valzeina Mittagplatte extends coverage of the ensemble SRG SSR - DRS to the Sarganserland and the region Landquart as far as Chur. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent.
March 2nd 2006
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt has received one application for the advertised capacity on the Halle and Magdeburg L-band ensembles. Radio L.B.W. Rundfunkbetriebsgesellschaft mbH Stuttgart Vaihingen proposes to broadcast its service Wilantis - das Wissensradio.
March 2nd 2006
In Schleswig-Holstein, the Unabhängige Landesanstalt für Rundfunk und neue Medien (ULR) has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. An extension of the trials for a further two years is possible. On offer is the capacity on the L-band allocations covering Schleswig-Holstein. The closing date for applications is March 20th 2006.
March 2nd 2006
On the Block 12A ensemble Rheinland-Pfalz, the Service Zeitansage is reported to have ceased.
February 28th 2006
Snapshot of the Amsterdam L-band test ensemble DAB pilot LH added.
February 28th 2006
The Hamburgische Anstalt für neue Medien has advertised capacity on the Block 12C ensemble serving the city. On offer are a total of 247 Capacity Units - being made available for two audio services or one audio service (116 CU) with supplementary data services. Closing date for applications is March 29th, 2006.
February 28th 2006
The Malta Communiations Authority (MCA) has announced that in an online auction to award four DAB frequency blocks, the highest bidder for all four blocks was Digi B Network Ltd. Once a number of procedural steps have been concluded, the MCA will then announce the formal award of the licences. Subject to international clearance, the ensembles will operate on Blocks 5D, 6A, 6C and LP.
February 27th 2006
Commercial Radio Australia has announced that it has completed coverage studies for 11 licence areas in Australia, identifying planning and transmitter requirements. Commercial Radio Australia has joined an international working party, together with Austereo and the ABC to investigate the integration of AAC/AAC+ into the DAB standard. Existing receivers would not be compatible with the new standards.
February 26th 2006
Switch Aberdeen Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken the Protection Level of Northsound 1 and Northsound 2 has been increased from 3 to 2.
February 26th 2006
Score DUNDEE Snapshot updated.
February 25th 2006
Snapshot updated of the L-band experimental ensemble in Ilmenau, TUI_Test. A Data Service was signalled in the FIC but no SubChannel was seen running in the MSC. The EId of this ensemble, 1001, supposed to be unique, is the same as the EId of the Band III Schleswig-Holstein ensemble DRN Sch-Holstein.
February 25th 2006
Snapshot of the L-band ensemble Regensburg updated. Snapshot added of the Block 12A test transmissions in Regensburg, Factum DMB Test.
February 25th 2006
Bayern Snapshot updated. This latest Snapshot was taken before the recent increase in the bitrate of BR Verkehr.
February 24th 2006
Ingolstadt and Nuernberg Snapshots updated.
February 24th 2006
DAB Baden-Wuert. Snapshot updated. Since the last observation, the SId of BIG-FM has changed from 1408 to 1308.
February 24th 2006
CE Manchester, EMAP C Lancs and EMAP Liverpool Snapshots updated.
February 24th 2006
DAB THUERINGEN and Sachsen K12A Snapshots updated.
February 23rd 2006
MXR West & Wales, MXR WestMidlands and EMAP South Yorks Snapshots updated.
February 22nd 2006
In Germany, a joint body of the various Landesmedienanstalten, the GSPWM, has issued a recommendation to the Landesmedienanstalten that the operation of the forthcoming national DMB trials be awarded to the applicant Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH. The recommendation is subject to the advertisement processes that are still underway in Berlin, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Schleswig-Holstein.
February 22nd 2006
In Hong Kong, the DAB trials have been suspended until further notice. The Block 11B ensemble DABHK has ceased.
February 22nd 2006
CE Birmingham, NOW Coventry, NOW Leicester and NOW Nottingham Snapshots updated.
February 21st 2006
NOW Bristol and NOWSwindon Snapshots updated.
February 21st 2006
Snapshot of the Cardiff and Newport local ensemble CAPITAL DIGITAL updated.
February 21st 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR is reported to have brought into service a new transmitter at Ziegelbrücke. This is the first step in a DAB expansion programme to extend coverage of the ensemble for the German-speaking region, SRG SSR - DRS, into north-east Switzerland. Ziegelbrücke serves Linthebene, the lower Glarnerland and the Walensee region. Further transmitters are understood to be imminent.
February 21st 2006
The canton Ticino (Tessin) is to be the first region of Switzerland without analogue television. Switch-off is scheduled for July 24th 2006. From that date, a DVB-T receiver or set-top box will be required to receive the services TSI-1, TSI-2, SF-1 and TSR-1 over a household antenna.
February 21st 2006
NOW READING Snapshot updated.
February 21st 2006
NOWBournemouth Snapshot updated and listing corrected.
February 20th 2006
Capital Hants Snapshot updated.
February 20th 2006
A total of 30 applications have been received to participate in the "Handy TV" trials to be conducted in Niedersachsen. The Niedersächsische Landesmedienanstalt (NLM) has received applications from nine groups to operate the DVB-H trials:-
- E-Plus Mobilfunk
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland
- NEVA Media
- O 2 Germany
- RTL Interactive
- RBC Radio Business to Consumer
- T-Mobile Deutschland
- T-Systems Business Services
- Vodafone D2
14 groups have applied to be content providers in the DVB-H trials:-
- Hit Radio Antenne Niedersachsen
- MONA TV
- n-tv
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk
- ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG
- Radio ffn
- RTL Radio
- RTL Shop
- RTL Television
- RTL 2
- Super RTL
- Traumpartner TV
- Truck Radio
- VOX
Four groups have applied to operate the DMB trials:-
- Anixe TV GmbH
- MFD
- Walk'n Watch
- Western Star
Three groups have applied to be content providers on the DMB trials:-
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk
- Konsortium "Big 4" (Hit Radio Antenne Niedersachsen, Radio FFH, Radio ffn, Antenne
Bayern)
- Truck Radio
The NLM is to coordinate the selection process with the other Landesmedienanstalten.
February 18th 2006
On Score DUNDEE, the Service Smash Hits! has ceased.
February 15th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter in the south of Ticino (Tessin). Monte San Salvatore extends coverage of the ensemble for the Italian-language region to the Lugano area and completes the continuity of coverage along the north/south axis of the main Alpine route. Coverage in Ticino now stands at 90% by population.
February 14th 2006
On Switch Aberdeen, the Services Northsound 1 and Northsound 2 are reported to be running at the increased Protection Level 2.
February 14th 2006
On Score Ayr, the Service Smash Hits! has ceased. On Switch Aberdeen, the Service SMASH HITS! has ceased.
February 14th 2006
On Capital Hants, the Service Saga has ceased.
February 14th 2006
On Switch London, the Service Saga Radio has been relabelled M.O.R. MUSIC. Snapshot updated.
February 14th 2006
On DRg London, the Service Panjab Radio is running at the reduced Protection Level 4. Snapshot updated.
February 14th 2006
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk has awarded capacity on the L-band ensemble in Frankfurt (Main) to TruckRadio.
February 14th 2006
On the Block 12D ensemble Bayern, the Service BR Verkehr is reported to be running at the increased bitrate of 80 kbit/s.
February 12th 2006
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG/SSR has brought into service a new transmitter in the south of Ticino (Tessin). Castel San Pietro extends coverage of the ensemble for the Italian-language region to the Mendrisio and Chiasso area.
February 12th 2006
The Malta Communications Authority has advertised four frequency blocks for DAB. Applications have been received from three parties: Digi B Network Ltd, Joseph Baldacchino and Maltasat International Ltd.. Each party, however, expressed an interest in all four blocks. With demand exceeding availability, the MCA is to hold an online auction process on February 16th.
February 1st 2006
DRM test transmissions are taking place in Hannover in the 11m band to determine the suitability of that band (25.67 to 26.1 MHz) for local digital broadcasting. Like other shortwave bands, the 11m band is susceptible to interference from other broadcasting stations, or other transmissions on the same frequencies, operating in other countries. This interference varies according to the time of day, the season of the year, the solar activity and the solar cycle. The band could also be prone to local interference from sources such as electrical equipment, trams, overhead power lines, ADSL networks, etc.. Such interference tends at any instant to affect only some of the 43 channels available in that band. The tests will investigate the feasability of using frequency-hopping techniques among a particular combination of those channels to avoid local interference as it occurs. DRM receivers in the service area will be connected to the transmission control centre so that measured interference could bring about a frequency change - first manually, later automatically, at the transmitter. The test results should help establish whether the 11m band would be suited to this type of local transmission using DRM. A number of different programme sources will be used during the tests, including those of the public-service broadcasters NDR and DeutschlandRadio, and private broadcasters such as Truckradio and N-Joy Radio. At present, the transmissions are centred on 26.045 MHz from the University of Hannover's Institut für Kommunikationstechnik. The Institut also plans later to test DRM+ transmissions in Band II.
February 1st 2006
One man's interference is another man's DX. The current tropospheric conditions in Western Europe are giving rise to some spectacular long-distance reception of UK local ensembles in continental Europe. Favourably situated ensembles such as those in Dundee, Tyne & Wear and Humberside are being reported to have been received as far away as Düsseldorf.
February 1st 2006
The Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg has licensed three commercial radio services targeted at a nationwide audience. "bigFM radio 2 see", "DigiRadio" (RTL) and "REGIOCAST DIGITAL" intend to place particular emphasis on the World Cup 2006 and hope to obtain carriage on the national DMB trials which are being co-ordinated between the Länder.
February 1st 2006
The BBC has brought into service another new transmitter as part of its DAB expansion programme. Chartham extends coverage of BBC National DAB in Kent in and around Canterbury.
January 30th 2006
The Landesanstalt für Medien Nordrhein-Westfalen received applications from four groups wishing to participate in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder:-
- Walk'n Watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH, Grünwald
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH, Düsseldorf
- Western Star GmbH, Essen
- Radio Starlet Programm- und Werbegesellschaft mbH, Herzogenaurach
The participating Landesmedienanstalten will coordinate their selection of the applicants they believe best suited to realising the project's aims.
January 30th 2006
The Landesrundfunkzentrale Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. An extension of the trials for a further two years is possible. On offer is the capacity on six local L-band allocations (one per locality) covering Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The closing date for applications is March 8th 2006.
January 27th 2006
Snapshot of the ensemble Sachsen-Anhalt updated.
January 26th 2006
Snapshots of the Sachsen-Anhalt L-band ensembles HALLE and MAGDEBURG updated. The Block LF ensemble in Weissenfels, ProMedia WSF was not seen and is assumed to have ceased.
January 26th 2006
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt has advertised capacity on the two local L-band allocations covering, respectively, Halle and Magdeburg. On offer are 116 CU on each ensemble. The closing date for applications is February 24th 2006.
January 26th 2006
The Thüringer Landesmedienanstalt received applications from four groups wishing to participate in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder:-
- Walk'n Watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH, Grünwald
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH, Düsseldorf
- Western Star GmbH, Essen
- Radio Starlet Programm- und Werbegesellschaft mbH, Herzogenaurach
The participating Landesmedienanstalten will coordinate their selection of the applicants they believe best suited to realising the project's aims.
January 25th 2006
Snapshots of the Berlin/Brandenburg ensembles Berlin K8, FhG FIRST-on-Air and Berlin/BRBG LE updated. The UK multiplex Digital1 Network continues to be broadcast in Berlin on Block LA using Transmission Mode I. On Block LI, an ensemble was seen to be running with one sub-channel at 384 kbit/s, but no service data or labels could be read from the FIC. No ensemble was found on Block 12D.
January 25th 2006
Public-service broadcaster Danmarks Radio has announced a programme to extend the DAB transmitter network in Denmark. Transmitters will be installed at Silkeborg / Brædstrup, Ebeltoft, Samsø, Anholt, Gilleleje, Hammeren, Neksø, Skagen, Løgstør, Brønderslev, Læsø, Stege, Tommestrup, Hammelev, Ringkøbing, Lemvig, Tønder, Kollund, Ejby, Jyderup. The roll-out, planned to take place over two years, is expected to increase DAB coverage by population to 90%.
January 24th 2006
On NOW Coventry, the Service Coventry's Kix is reported to have been relabelled TOUCH FM 96.2.
January 24th (2)
On CE London, the Service X F M has been relabelled XFM.
January 24th 2006
On CE Birmingham, the Service X F M is reported to have been relabelled Xfm UK.
January 24th (2)
On CE Manchester, EMAP Humberside, EMAP C Lancs, EMAP Leeds, EMAP Liverpool, EMAP South Yorks, EMAP Teesside, EMAP T&W, NOW Wolverhamptn, NOW Bristol, ScoreEDINBURGH, ScoreGLASGOW, Capital Hants and CAPITAL KENT and on the Cardiff and Newport ensemble CAPITAL DIGITAL, the Service X F M is reported to have been relabelled XFM UK.
January 24th (2)
On NOWWiltshire, NOWBournemouth, NOW Cambridge, NOW Cornwall, NOW Coventry, NOW Ex & Tor, NOW Leicester, NOWNorwich, NOW Nottingham, NOW READING, NOW S&C and NOWSwindon, the Service The Storm has been relabelled XFM UK. The SId is understood not to have changed, which is why this site reports it as a relabelling.
January 19th 2006
Snapshots of the Bavarian L-band ensembles Augsburg and Muenchen updated.
January 19th 2006
Snapshots of the L-band ensemble Regio ULM updated.
January 19th 2006
Snapshots of the München test ensembles TEST IRT K11 and Test K11 D updated.
January 18th 2006
Information about the DMB pilot projects being initiated in the various Länder has been merged into the Germany listings.
January 18th 2006
The Bayerischen Landeszentrale für neue Medien has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a five-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. On offer is the capacity on nineteen local L-band allocations (one per locality) covering Bayern. The closing date for applications is February 2nd 2006.
January 18th 2006
The Hessische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. An extension of the trials for a further two years is possible. On offer is the capacity on six local L-band allocations (one per locality) covering Hessen. The closing date for applications is February 27th 2006.
January 18th 2006
In Germany, the Service Deutschlandfunk, which has recently been transmitted using the unusual audio mode Dual Channel, has been seen to have resumed using Joint Stereo.
January 18th 2006
Germany and UK TII tables updated.
January 18th 2006
Snapshot of the Spanish ensemble CATALUNYA RADIO updated.
January 18th 2006
Snapshot of the L-band local ensemble Regio STUTTGART updated.
January 18th 2006
DAB transmissions are expected to resume shortly in Slovenia following a break of several years since the initial pilot broadcasts. The news came in the form of an announcement from Radioscape that it is to supply equipment for the new services. Initially, the four RTVS services are expected to simulcast. Transmissions are expected to begin in February 2006 from the transmitter site at Krvavec, overlooking Ljubljana.
January 17th 2006
On the Netherlands Block 12C ensemble Publieke Omroep, the Service Radio Top 2000 is running at the increased bitrate of 128 kbit/s. Snapshot updated.
January 17th 2006
Snapshots of the Spanish ensembles FU-E, MF1 and MF2 updated.
January 16th 2006
The BBC has brought into service another transmitter in the latest phase of its expansion programme. Blaenplwyf extends coverage of BBC National DAB into West Wales, including the town of Aberystwyth.
January 12th 2006
On the local L-band ensemble Ingolstadt, the Service Donauwelle has ceased.
January 12th 2006
A new Service has popped up on CAPITAL KENT. FUNradio is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono. Snapshot updated.
January 12th 2006
A new Service has popped up on CAPITAL SUSSEX. FUNradio is running at 80 kbit/s in Mono.
January 12th 2006
On CE London, the Service CAPITAL FM has been relabelled Capital Radio. Snapshot updated.
January 12th 2006
The Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. An extension of the trials for a further two years is possible. On offer is the capacity on six local L-band allocations (one per locality) covering Sachsen-Anhalt. The closing date for applications is February 21st 2006.
January 12th 2006
The Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg has received applications from four groups wishing to participate in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder:-
- anixe TV GmbH & Co. KG, Mannheim
(Gesellschafter: Marion Lapidakis)
- MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH, Düsseldorf
(Gesellschafter: Ammax Verwaltungs GmbH, Grazia Equity GmbH, J² Verwaltungs
GmbH, Catharina GmbH, Henrik Rinnert)
- walk'n watch Gesellschaft für mobiles Fernsehen mbH, Grünwald
(Gesellschafter: Ralph Piller, Dr. Raimund König, Hock Capital Management
GmbH, Dr. Petra Wibbe, Semi Verwaltung GmbH, Net mobile AG)
- Western Star GmbH, Essen
(Gesellschafter: AEGIS Media (Deutschland) GmbH)
The participating Landesmedienanstalten will coordinate their selection of the applicants they believe best suited to realising the project's aims.
January 12th 2006
The Hamburgische Anstalt für neue Medien has advertised for applications from public- and/or private-sector broadcasters to be partners in a three-year pilot DMB project which is to be conducted in conjunction with the other Länder. An extension of the trials for a further two years is possible. On offer is the capacity on the local L-band allocation for the city of Hamburg. The closing date for applications is February 3rd 2006.
January 12th (2)
In Andorra, the Block 12D ensemble STA has ceased. A member of the STA enquiry team described the cessation as "temporary" but was unable to say when transmissions would resume. Ever since the transmissions began, the STA website has continued to state that the broadcasts were on Block 12C. No ensemble has been observed in Andorra on Block 12C.
January 11th 2006
On Switch Scotland, the Service Beat 106 has been relabelled XFM Scotland. Snapshot updated.
January 11th 2006
Snapshot of the Irish ensemble on Block 12C added. An EId of 0001 was being broadcast. The Band III ensemble was observed to be using Transmission Mode II, optimised for L-band, but as the Ensemble Label Configuration 1 implies, this is but one of a number of configurations to be tested during the three-month pilot. Note that the Full 16-character Service Labels are shown, although none of them is longer than 8 characters. Some of the Service Component Labels differ from the Service Labels. These are engineering tests and do not constitute a public service. They are liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects. RTÉ intends to apply to begin a public service later in the year, assuming the tests to be successful.
January 11th 2006
On the Block 12A ensemble, Rheinland-Pfalz, the Service sunshine live has ceased.
January 11th 2006
On the local L-band ensemble in Rheinland-Pfalz, Regio Rheinl-Pf., the Services DEUTSCHLANDFUNK and WILANTIS have ceased. According to the website of the DAB network operator Digital Radio Südwest, the L-band transmitters at Ludwigshafen and Hohe Wurzel have been taken out of service.
January 11th 2006
On Digital1 Network, the Service Life has been relabelled Capital Life.
January 6th 2006
Score N.IRELAND Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot, the Service Cool Hits has been relabelled Cool FM.
January 6th 2006
Score Ayr Snapshot updated.
January 6th 2006
Now Digital has announced details of DAB network improvements planned by GCap for its owned and jointly-owned multiplexes
during 2006. On CE Birmingham, two new transmitters are planned before Autumn 2006 to improve coverage in the west and south of the city. On NOW Nottingham, an additional transmitter at Mansfield (Fishponds Hill) is scheduled for Spring 2006. On NOW Plymouth, the power level of the Plympton transmitter is planned to be increased from 250w to 3kw in mid-January.
January 6th 2006
The service Deutschlandfunk, which originates in Köln, appears to be being broadcast using the unusual audio mode Dual Channel, although the two channels themselves continue to carry the two halves of a normal stereo pair. The reason for the change, which has been reported from Nordrhein-Westfalen, Sachsen and Bayern, is not known. It is likely that this mode is being used on all the ensembles which carry Deutschlandfunk. The other Deutschlandradio service, Deutschlandradio Kultur, which originates in Berlin, continues to be broadcast using Joint Stereo as before.
January 4th 2006
The new Irish pilot ensemble has popped up on Block 12C. It is understood that one transmitter is currently operational - Claremont Carn, which covers the north east of the republic but can be received in Dublin. Six audio services are reported to be running at 192 kbit/s, although two of these are currently silent. These are test transmissions and are liable to interruption, periods of reduced power and other odd effects.
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