Australia to trial DAB+

24th October 2006

Quoting from the Commercial Radio Australia website:

"Australian radio broadcasters are also due to begin a separate technical trial of new digital radio technology, using AAC-plus coding with the Eureka 147 standard. This technology is favoured by the Australian Government because it requires less spectrum. It would enable radio stations to deliver either one signal at high sound quality, split their signal to deliver two audio services, or provide a combination of both audio and data."
"The trial of the AAC-plus coding will be the most comprehensive in the world and is planned to be conducted in parallel with trials in the UK. Commercial radio is partnering with Broadcast Australia and the ABC in the trial. If successful, the new standard could then be approved by international authorities early next year."

WorldDAB to probably announce adoption of AAC+ next week

On a related note, it looks likely that WorldDAB will announce next week that DAB is going to adopt the AAC+ audio codec, because the WorldDAB General Assembly is happening next week, and there is a conference session titled:

"Latest on the new Audio Coding"

along with a presentation by Joan Warner, the CEO of Commercial Radio Australia under the heading "What does this mean for the Broadcaster".