[cma-l] Radio likely to switch to digital by 2020

[Andrew David]

Ian et al,

As a newconmer to the block and having just, and about to invest again,
in new transmission equipment, I'm with Ian on this one.

Radio needs to instantly accessible, reliably transmitted and received.

I am not convinced that DAB will ever measure up to this - unless you're
standing still in the middle of a field in direct sight of the
transmitter with your aerial extended at just the right length! 

I just wonder where all the research into the listening habits on line
takes the argument?

Andrew



Andrew David
Managing Editor
Siren FM
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
Lincoln
LN6 7TS

01522 886001
Mobex 46001
Mobile 07525 873622

Please note that I'm trying to manage my emails and I may not get back
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Thanks.

Siren FM 107.3 - Lincoln's Community Radio Station
www.sirenonline.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
Sent: 12 December 2008 13:20
To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Radio likely to switch to digital by 2020

This makes me very angry.

Firstly - who has decided that we need to get out of analogue
broadcasting - FM in particular - at all?

And why?

What is the all-pressing need to use 88-108MHz for something else in the
UK when most other countries will still be keeping it for broadcasting?

What is going to happen to all the equipment - still being openly sold
over the counter now - which will only work on our present DAB format
when the time comes to change to DAB+ or some other platform?

How are the smaller independent stations going to be incorporated into
the exclusive Big Boys' Club format that we have at present?

It ain't broke - so don't try to fix it!

Ian Hickling
Partner
transplan UK

 > Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:44:30 +0000  > From: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk  > Subject:
[cma-l] Radio likely to switch to digital by 2020  >  > John Plunkett  >
Friday 12 December 2008 09.14 GMT  >
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/12/digital-radio-radio
 >
 > The body set up by the government to secure the future of digital  >
radio in the UK is expected to predict next week that switchover for  >
the medium could be completed by 2020.
 >
 > Next week's final report by the Digital Radio Working Group comes at
> the end of a series of meetings, some of them vigorously debated,  >
between representatives of commercial radio, the BBC, media regulator  >
Ofcom, community radio and manufacturing and consumer groups,  >
according to sources.
 >
 > The various parties were brought together by the government to map
out  > a timetable for digital radio, which has been beset by
uncertainty  > over the future of one of its key methods of delivery,
digital audio  > broadcasting (DAB).
 >
 > But despite the setbacks - which saw Channel 4 pull the plug on its
> DAB ambitions and a host of digital stations shut down, including  >
TheJazz, OneWord and Mojo - the DRWG is expected to say that the  >
migration of most radio content to digital could be completed by 2020.
 >
 > This would reinforce the conclusions of the group's interim report,
> published in June, that recommended the establishment of a timetable
> for the migration of all UK radio from analogue to digital. DRWG said
> digital switchover should be completed between 2015 and 2020.
 >
 > However, the report is also expected to recognise that parts of the
> country will still not be able to receive a DAB signal even by 2020,
> so will stop short of a blanket analogue switch-off date like the 2012
> deadline set for terrestrial television.
 >
 > One of the key issues still to be resolved is who will pick up the  >
bill for the improvements required to the DAB radio signal, and how to
> encourage car manufacturers to fit more dashboard digital radios.
 >
 > Ofcom is also likely to oversee a reorganisation of the way DAB  >
multiplexes are organised on a local, regional and national level.
 >
 > One option would see the BBC's Asian Network, and possibly some other
> BBC services, move to commercial DAB multiplex, Digital One.
 >
 > The ill-fated second national commercial multiplex, which was awarded
> to now defunct Channel 4-led 4 Digital consortium, has yet to be  >
re-advertised.
 >
 > DRWG's findings are expected to be a key part of communications  >
minister Lord Carter's Digital Britain report next year.
 >
 > Speaking to the culture, media and sport committee on Wednesday,  >
Carter said: "Radio can be received on mobile phones and through the  >
television. Could you have digital radio without DAB? Yes, you  >
probably could.
 >
 > "If we do want DAB, we need to push it along a bit or technology will
> drive it out."
 >
 > Community Media Association
 > --
 > http://www.commedia.org.uk/
 > http://twitter.com/community_media
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