| DAB+ roll-out gathers pace1st July 2008 DAB+ stations have begun transmitting in a number of countries in recent weeks, which will have been due to the Swedish DAB multiplex equipment manufacturer Factum Electronics starting to ship its DAB+ multiplexing equipment, which broadcasters from a number of countries have been waiting on. The countries in which DAB+ stations are now transmitting are as follows, although there are likely to be a few test transmissions in other countries that haven't been reported as of yet:
Malta Malta is set to become the first country to launch a commercial digital radio service that is only using DAB+ when the service launches today (1st July), and DAB+ test transmissions have been broadcasting for the last few weeks in readiness for the launch. The new DAB+ service will be operated by the Digi B Network, and 19 DAB+ stations will be carried, including a couple of UK stations -- XFM and the BBC World Service -- that are being re-broadcast.
Italy Italy was the first country to launch a number of DAB+ stations, with 14 out of the 20 national commercial stations in Italy switching over to using DAB+ in November last year.
Singapore Singaporean broadcaster Rediffusion has launched a commercial service using DAB+, which it was demonstrating during the Broadcast Asia 2008 conference that was held in the country recently.
Switzerland According to the Wohnort DAB website, the Swiss communications regulator BAKOM advertised capacity for eight DAB+ stations at the end of April, which will be carried on a multiplex covering the French-speaking region of Switzerland. This follows on from BAKOM advertising capacity for eight DAB+ stations in November 2006, which will be carried on a multiplex in the German-speaking region of the country. SwissMediaCast, which is the company that won the licence to run the multiplex in the German-speaking region, has recently advertised a further eight DAB+ station slots for the multiplex, and the first DAB+ stations are expected to launch later this year or in early 2009.
Australia A few DAB+ test transmissions have started in Australia in readiness for the full launch of their digital radio service on 1st January 2009. Like Malta, Australia will only be using DAB+.
Germany A radio station called Rockland has launched a new station called Rockland+ (or it's at least testing), which is using DAB+ and it is transmitting alongside its parent station on the same DAB multiplex in the Sachsen-Anhalt area of Germany. The parent station is still using the old version of DAB. There are also other DAB+ trial services transmitting in Germany at the moment.
Czech Republic A multiplex transmitting in Prague at L-band frequencies has popped up in the last couple of weeks that is carrying DAB+ test transmissions from the public service radio broadcaster, Cesky rozhlas.
China Although there haven't been any reports of DAB+ services launching in China yet, there are expected to be 30 DAB/DAB+ stations transmitting in China when the Olympic Games is on.
In addition, a report commissioned by the Swedish government into
which digital radio system the country should adopt has also
recommended that DAB+ be used, although the Swedish government's
IT advisor has criticised the report's recommendations, because he
thinks that listeners would prefer to listen to the radio via the
Internet and on mobile phones instead. Comments
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Dab Rolout Explotation
Pure is GOUGING Australian buyers
Te difference in the DAB+ licensing is about 40 UK Pence!
PURE lock all the UK Pure radios to Old Technology DAB even though DAB+ will eventually have to be rolled out. Possibly this is to gouge UK Listeners for a cost upgrade!
To stop grey importing in Australia of their over priced radios they block the DAB+ upgrade on all UK receivers
When prices drop remember to BOYCOTT PURE for exploiting Aussis
PURE Exploitation should be the name on their receivers