Is digital radio reborn in Europe?

At the WorldDMB European Automotive Event, held in Brussels, broadcasters and automobile manufacturers shared their impressions of the current state of digital radio in Europe.

Coinciding with the WorldDMB European Automotive Event, held this Wednesday in Brussels promoted by the consortium WorldDMB, broadcasters and automobile manufacturers have shared their impressions about the current state of digital radio in Europe and the role that the automotive industry plays in its development.

Although digital radio in the Old Continent seemed to have stagnated, in the last six months there have been a series of events that seem to revive the possibility of migration. Norway has been the country in the world that has announced a migration to digital in 2017, followed by Switzerland which will do so in 2020-2024.

In Germany, public broadcaster ARD has shown a strong long-term commitment to DAB+ and the BMVI, Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, has established a committee to ensure the process.

Support from the UK government has meant a further extension of on-road DAB coverage across the country, with a second multiplex planned for 2016.

Denmark has announced a new roadmap for digital radio on DAB+. The Netherlands will also continue to roll out new regional multiplexes.

In Italy and Poland coverage continues to increase, while the French regulator is beginning a consultation on the second wave of cities that would adopt digital radio, after Paris, Nice and Marseille.

Digital radio coverage levels are approaching those of FM, with coverage of 99% of the population in Norway and Switzerland, 95% in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, 91% in Germany and 68% in Italy.

Patrick Hannon, president of the WorldDMB, said in Brussels that "digital radio has reached a turning point in Europe. The first countries have confirmed the dates of conversion to the digital system and the political commitment towards digital radio is permeating many markets. Digital radio offers important benefits to drivers. The technology is a proven fact. Now is the time for car manufacturers to take advantage of this opportunity."

For his part, Dietrich Schirm, ICT director at Bavaria, underlines that "Germany has shown strong support for digital radio. Our broadcasters and car manufacturers are working on what will be a successful experience for drivers. The recent political support for digital radio will ensure a smooth transition to digital which will benefit the German automotive and broadcasting industries, as well as the users themselves."

The Brussels conference began with the Flemish Minister of Culture, Sven Gatz, switching on the first commercial DAB+ multiplex in Belgium. “Digital radio brings even better audio quality, more space and capacity and reduces the environmental impact of radio,” he stated.

The broadcasters asked the European Commission to guarantee the maintenance of sufficient spectrum for the provision of digital radio services with the conviction that Band III must continue to be the band dedicated to digital radio in Europe. The event was attended by a number of Commission officials and in the year of WRC-15 the focus on maintaining the radio spectrum for radio was a common point in the presentations of the different speakers.

The conference was attended by 200 professionals from the automotive sector and industry from twenty countries.