After more than a year on air, Australia is relishing in the switchover to digital radio broadcasting. Dimi Kyriakou looks at the current status of the rollout and how installers can continue to take advantage of this new opportunity.

When digital radio or digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) was first introduced to the general public, it came with an endless list of promises and pledges to bring the radio listening experience into the 21st century with crystal-clear sound and data functionality.

As this revamped form of radio passed its first birthday milestone, it became certain that digital radio would continue to have an impact on the work of a custom installer – especially during the government’s task of switching off all analogue signals in the nation.

In May last year, the Australian commercial radio industry introduced the wonders of digital broadcasting to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, creating a new wave of interest in the well-loved medium.
Following closely behind the five State capitals this year were Canberra and Darwin, chosen to host two low-power digital radio trial services.

These trials were put into place with an aim to provide training for regional radio staff as well as an opportunity to test the signal in different regional terrain.

Ultimately, the DAB+ technology has enabled radio stations to multichannel as well as broadcast a variety of multimedia, data and interactive programming – all free to air – but how can a custom installer continue to take advantage of this improved technology and expand their business?

Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer Joan Warner says that more than half a million people are listening to digital radio in the five State capitals and the time spent listening to digital radio has already exceeded the time spent listening to internet radio.

“The rollout of digital radio in Australia has been hailed worldwide as a great success with commercial and public broadcasters working together and achieving very high-powered and extensive outdoor and indoor digital radio coverage,” she says.

“Obviously with any new technology, there is some further refinement to be done. The industry has identified a number of areas that could benefit from a boost in coverage, particularly in built-up areas, but this is still undergoing further testing to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with any other surrounding signals.”

In regards to the connected home, Joan says that digital radio can offer quality sound to the home as well as a selection of digital-only stations that can be navigated easily.

“The first set-top-box with DAB+ has just been released and further DAB+ products continue to come to the market to enable people to choose what best suits their home,” she says.

“Custom installers can use this switchover to market their business in many ways – obviously it’s identifying a product that would best appeal to your client’s needs. Talking to the 20+ different digital radio manufacturers would be a great start to identify which product would best benefit your target business.”

Joan says the rollout of DAB+ digital radio across Australia will allow the technology to reach its full potential. The five state metropolitan capitals cover around 60% of Australia’s population but the commercial radio industry is calling on the federal government to allocate Band III VHF Spectrum in all regional areas as well, so country residents can have the same digital radio benefits as their city counterparts.

The other major goal for Commercial Radio Australia is to get DAB+ digital radio into cars. Although 49% of radio listening is done at home, 32% is in the car and the industry is continuing talks with the automotive industry to get DAB+ digital radios factory-fitted into cars in the near future.

“The rollout in regional areas will give the automotive industry further confidence and increase the uptake by listeners. Plus, more screen-based digital radios on the market will allow for many further applications on screen to be fully explored,” Joan says.

“There are more than 65 different digital radio models on the market and some of the largest electronics manufacturers are now making digital radios with further planning to come into the market.”

She says the commercial radio industry continues to promote digital radio on air, spending nearly $24 million dollars to date and will continue to promote the future of radio.

“We’ve certainly exceeded that expectation and will continue to tell listeners about the benefits of digital radio – the extra digital-only stations, digital sound, scrolling text and in some cases, pictures on the screen.

“That’s the beauty of digital radio.”

Contact:
Commercial Radio Australia
www.commercialradio.com.au