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DIGITAL RADIO GUIDE TERRESTRIAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS - DAB
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challenges for many current radio broadcasting markets, which are typically served by a
mixture of narrowcasting, community, commercial and national services using AM and
FM frequencies with different or overlapping licence and coverage areas giving local,
medium or wide area coverage. Conversely, the requirement for multiplexing could over
time reduce the number of transmission sites and result in more consistent coverage of
services.
Eureka 147 uses spectrum that is often used for analogue and digital television services
(VHF Band III), and radio communication services (L Band). If a conversion model is
used for the introduction of digital radio finding, sufficient spectrum for the conversion of
all analogue radio broadcasting services to digital will not be easy, particularly as L Band
will require more transmitters to provide wide area coverage and adequate reception in
urban areas.
4.2.3 DAB Development Worldwide as of 2006
More than 40 countries have legislated for the integration of DAB Digital Radio in Europe
and Worldwide. Outside Europe the key areas of development are found in Canada, the
Asia-Pacific Region and South Africa.
(1) Belgium
DAB Digital Radio launched in Belgium in September 1997 with a multiplex
operated by the Flemish public broadcaster VRT. Today, the VRT multiplex covers
the Flemish Community and has nine audio stations. Four of these channels are
unique to DAB Digital Radio. RTBF, the public broadcaster for the French
community, has a multiplex covering the French community with five audio stations,
all simulcasts of existing analogue stations.
(2) Canada
DAB launched in Canada in November 1999. Stations in Toronto, Montreal and
Vancouver started operating in 1999; Ontario in 2000; and Ottawa in 2003. There
are currently a total of 73 licensed Digital Audio Broadcast DAB stations in Canada:
15 stations in Ottawa, 25 in Toronto, 15 in Vancouver, 12 in Montreal and 6 in
Windsor. The stations operating in these five cities provide services to some 11
million potential listeners or more than 35% of the population. Seven DAB stations
(4 commercial and 3 public) are field testing in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
DAB has yet to be embraced by consumers in Canada. The industry is currently
evaluating next steps with respect to digital radio rollout. Implementation of other
digital radio systems is under consideration, particularly as rollout of HD Radio in
the neighbouring United States proceeds.
(3) Denmark
Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) is currently broadcasting 18 DAB
“channels.” On September 1, 2005, the commercial broadcasters Sky Radio and
Radio 100 FM (owned by Talpa Radio International) commenced transmission on