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DAB Archives Last Update: February 23rd, 2007 |
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The stories on this page previously appeared on the Latest Updates page. Please send information and observations to: carey@wohnort.demon.co.uk 2006 Stories from 2005 Stories from 2004 Stories from 2003 Stories from 2002 Stories from 2001 Stories from 2000 December 31st 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 On Digital1 Network, theJazz is now running with a new SId (C4CA). December 19th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 On the Belgian ensemble VRT DAB, the service Donna hitbits has been relabelled Donna Tophits. December 9th On NOW Bristol, the service HA Trial has ceased. The service KISS Bristol has been relabelled Kiss UK. December 7th 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 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 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 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 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 A packet data service, BBC Travel, has popped up on BBC National DAB. November 21st 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 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 A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITALSUSSEX. Chill is running at 96 kbit/s in Mono. November 16th 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 In Switzerland, the services on the Block 12C ensemble SRG SSR - DRS now sport PTy. November 15th 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.
November 14th 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 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 CE Birmingham Snapshot updated. November 13th 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 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 On NOW Nottingham, the Service Galaxy is running with the changed SId C9CC. November 13th 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 Snapshot of the Block LC ensemble Regio ULM updated. November 13th Snapshot of the Block LB ensemble Regio STUTTGART updated. November 13th Snapshot of the Block LI ensemble Regio MANNHEIM corrected. November 9th 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 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.
November 8th 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 Snapshot of the Block 12D ensemble Bayern updated. November 8th Snapshot of the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT updated. November 8th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Snapshot of Berlin K8 updated. November 5th Snapshot of the Block 12B Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ensemble DRN MECKL VORPOM updated. November 5th Snapshot of the Block 12D Schleswig-Holstein ensemble DRN Sch-Holstein updated. November 5th Snapshot of the Block 12C ensemble DRN HAMBURG updated. November 5th Snapshot of the Block 12A Niedersachsen ensemble DRN Nieders. updated. Note that TruckRadio is using Protection Level 1, the maximum protection available. November 5th 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 Snapshot of the Netherlands Block 12C ensemble Publieke Omroep updated. November 3rd 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 Snapshot of the Block 12B Berlin ensemble FhG FIRST-on-Air updated. November 3rd Snapshot of the Block LE ensemble Berlin/BRBG LE updated. November 2nd 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 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 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 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 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 On the Norwegian ensemble Norge Riks, the Service Bandit has been relabeled P4 Bandit. November 1st 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 DRg London Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Service Panjab Radio has switched to using Mono LSF. October 25th MXR North East, MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire Snapshots updated. October 24th 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 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.
October 23rd 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 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 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 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 The Service Chill is reported to have popped up on NOWDIGITAL KENT, running at 128 kbit/s Joint Stereo. October 23rd 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 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 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 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 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 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 On the Cardiff and Newport local ensemble NOWDIGITAL C&N, the Service Century has ceased. October 19th UTV-EMAP W.YORKS Snapshot updated. October 19th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 On the Block 12A ensemble Rheinland-Pfalz, the Service SWR 2 is reported to have been relabelled SWR2 RP. October 2nd On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the Service SWR2 is reported to have been relabelled SWR2 BW. October 1st 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 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 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 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:-
Digital One still hope to commission a transmitter at Tunbridge Wells, once international frequency coordination hurdles have been overcome. September 29th 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 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 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 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 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 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 On the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT the Stream Data Service BRpocket has ceased. September 24th 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 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 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 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 The German DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up in Saarbrücken on Block LJ and in Hannover on Block LA. September 18th 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 In Berlin, following the IFA, the Block LA relay of the British multiplex Digital1 Network has resumed. September 12th A new Service has popped up on NOWDIGITAL C&N. Chill is running at 128 kbit/s. September 9th On NOW Norwich, the Service Vibe FM has been relabelled KISS. September 9th 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 On NOW Cambridge, the Service Vibe FM has been relabelled KISS 105 - 108. September 7th 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 On MXR West & Wales, KISS 101 has replaced vibe fm. September 6th 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 The German DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up in Leipzig on Block LJ. September 5th 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 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 On the Netherlands ensemble Publieke Omroep the Service Radio 747 has been relabelled Radio 5. September 4th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Chill is reported to have replaced The Storm on NOW Wolverhamptn and XFM Scotland on CE Birmingham. August 30th ourkindofmusic has popped up on NOWSwindon. The Service Passion is reported to have ceased. August 29th In Berlin, the L-band re-transmission of the UK ensemble Digital1 Network has ceased. August 29th In Windsor, Ontario, the Block L19 ensemble CHUM/CBC has ceased. August 29th 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 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 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 Bayern listing corrected. August 15th Snapshot of the Belgian ensemble RTBF.DAB Radio updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the EId has changed to 6005. August 15th Snapshot of the Belgian ensemble VRT DAB updated. August 14th 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 Snapshot of the Nordrhein-Westfalen ensemble NRW K12 updated. August 13th Snapshot of the German national L-band MFN watcha updated. August 13th 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 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 NOWWolverhamptn Snapshot updated. August 12th 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 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 In Germany, the Private Radio and Telecommunications Federation (VPRT) has published a position paper on digital radio. The main points:-
(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 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 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 Switch Aberdeen Snapshot updated. July 28th On MXR North East, MXR North West, MXR West & Wales, MXR WestMidlands and MXR Yorkshire, the Services DNN have been relabelled LBC. July 28th On NOW S&C, the Service Breeze has been relabelled Classic Gold. July 28th NOWNorwich Snapshot updated. July 27th Snapshot of the Cambridge experimental ensemble updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the ensemble has been relabelled Arqiva T&D. July 27th NOW Cambridge Snapshot updated. July 27th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 CE Manchester Snapshot updated. The Service KEY103Manchester was seen to be running in Joint Stereo. July 18th 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 MXR North East Snapshot updated. July 18th EMAP Teesside Snapshot updated. Since the last observations, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM North East. July 18th EMAP T&W Snapshot updated. Since the last observations, the Service XFM UK has been relabelled XFM North East. July 18th 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 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 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 Correction: On Digital1 Network, the Packet Data Service Cartoon Network appears to pop up at midnight and run overnight. July 14th 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 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 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 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 On the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., the Service talkSPORT has ceased. July 13th 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 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 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 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 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 July 10th The Sächsischer Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien has awarded capacity on the ensemble Sachsen K12A to Truck Radio. July 10th 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 In Austria, the transmission of DAB ORF-WIEN is reported to have ceased on Block 12D and popped up on Block 12B. July 4th On MXR Yorkshire, the Service jazzfm.com (CFCD) has been relabelled Yorkshire Radio. Snapshot updated. July 4th The Hamburgischer Anstalt für neue Medien has awarded capacity on the Block 12C ensemble DRN HAMBURG to Truck Radio. July 4th 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 On MXR North East, MXR North West and MXR Yorkshire the Service Real has been relabelled REAL. June 29th 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 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 On MXR West & Wales the Service Real has been relabelled REAL. June 26th 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 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 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 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 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 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 On BBC National DAB the Packet Data Service Test BBC Guide has been relabelled BBC Guide. June 21st 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 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.
June 19th 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 The Service talkSPORT has popped up on Score N.IRELAND, running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. June 14th 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 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 On the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN, the Service talkSPORT has ceased. England play no further matches in Frankfurt am Main. June 10th 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 In Germany, the DMB ensemble watcha is reported to have popped up on Block LK in the region around Gelsenkirchen. June 9th The Block 11C ensemble Muenchen has been relabelled Muenchen 11C. The EId is now D073. June 9th 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 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 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 Listings of the Block 12A ensemble Muenchen IRT updated. All Services have new SIds. The Service BFS has been relabelled Bayerisches FS. June 9th In Germany, the L-band DMB ensemble DMB Testbetrieb has been relabelled watcha. June 8th The Service talkSPORT has popped up on the Block 12B ensemble DAB Baden-Wuert., running at 64 kbit/s in Mono. June 8th The Service talkSPORT has popped up on the Block 12C ensemble BAND III HESSEN. June 8th 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 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 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 The ensemble broadcasting the DMB multiplex from Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland is reported to have popped up in Hannover. June 5th 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 SRG SSR - DRS Snapshot updated. Since the last Snapshot was taken, the Service MUSIGWAELLE 531 has been relabelled DRS MUSIGWAELLE. June 3rd 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 A new Service has popped up on Berlin/BRBG 12. Talksport is reported to be running at 128 kbit/s. June 3rd On Switch London, the Service PrimeTime Radio has fallen silent. June 2nd 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 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||