[cma-l] DRM+ successfully trialled in Paris

[Ian Hickling]

Alan - I think that's an unfair judgement.

As I remember it, the BBC made all the running for DAB way before Ofcom 
was in place and the CRCA-backed the concept as well and effectively 
insisted on the present "Owned Multiplex" structure.

Ofcom after all is a Regulator - not an Instigator.

I am sure that the important people at Ofcom - classify them how you 
wish - agree that the present system has no future, but I suggest that 
it's up to Broadcasters to propose what happens - not the Regulator!

Ian Hickling
Partner
transplan UK

 > From: alan.coote at btinternet.com
 > To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk
 > Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:33:18 +0100
 > Subject: Re: [cma-l] [comradio-l] Fw: DRM+ successfully trialled in
 > Paris
 >
 > Let's hope that Ofcom finally realises that DAB is NOT a viable
 > platform. A fact which has been obvious to many for years.
 > Unfortunately Ofcom have encouraged the radio industry at large into a
 > technical cul-de-sac, from which it's difficult to get out.
 >
 > Let's hope someone in Ofcom has got the, proverbial, to admit that
 > there are much better digital solutions for the radio industry.
 >
 > Somehow I doubt it though.
 >
 > Alan
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: comradio-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
 > Sent: 15 June 2009 15:36
 > Subject: [comradio-l] Fw: DRM+ successfully trialled in Paris
 >
 > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
 > From: boutterin <snrl at online.fr>
 >
 > DRM PRESS RELEASE
 > Date: 12.06.2009
 >
 > DRM+ SUCCESSFULLY TRIALLED IN PARIS
 >
 > Paris, 12th June 2009: The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology for
 > broadcast at higher frequencies was successfully trialled in Paris on
 > Thursday. The DRM+ signal was broadcast on 64.5 MHz from Tour Pleyel,
 > North of Paris, and was received at the office of Conseil Supérieur de
 > l'Audiovisuel (CSA) which regulates the various electronic media in
 > France. The CSA is located 10 km away from the transmitter but the
 > signal strength was good with only 400 watts of radiating power.
 >
 > This positions DRM+ as a perfect solution for stations not able to
 > join multiplexes, even in places where the FM band is full.
 >
 > DRM+ extends the DRM standard which is the open, universal, digital
 > radio standard for broadcast bands, to frequencies up to 174MHz
 > including the FM spectrum from 87.5MHz to 108 MHz. DRM+ offers a range
 > of features and benefits for radio stations’ around the world and can
 > lead to a cost-effective migration to digital. It was first
 > successfully tested on the FM Band in Kaiserslautern, Germany last
 > year, but this is the first time DRM+ has been used in Band 1.
 >
 > DRM+ has distinct advantages over conventional FM, it needs lower
 > transmission power for same coverage, opens up new audio possibilities
 > like 5.1 surround sound, increases spectrum efficiency and offers
 > electronic data services such as programme guide and supporting
 > information.
 >
 > David Blanc, SNRL (Syndicat National des Radios Libres) says:
 > “Professor Dr Andreas Steil and his team (Mr. Schad and Mr. Köhler)
 > from the University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern, was able to
 > put together a complete DRM+ broadcast system on Band 1 and agreed to
 > test it in Paris. SNRL, which gathers over 300 local stations in
 > France, has been trying to find a technical solution for the many
 > stations which cannot join multiplexes for various reasons, including
 > coverage area, cost and desire to remain in control of their broadcast
 > operations".
 >
 > “DRM+ seems to be an excellent choice, offering over 100 kbps of
 > usable bit rate, enabling CD audio quality, slideshow and other data
 > to be broadcast from a simple privately-owned transmitter. We now
 > recommend integrating DRM+ in all digital radio receivers, from 60 to
 > 108 Mhz.”, he added.
 >
 > This test was performed by the help of University of Applied Sciences,
 > Kaiserslautern and Fraunhofer IIS, Erlangen.
 >
 > Ruxandra Obreja, Chairman, DRM Consortium says: “Through this trial in
 > France, we have yet another proof that the DRM standard can offer a
 > most versatile, economical range of options for big and small
 > operators for the benefit of audiences that want good quality radio.
 > We hope that the trial in France will be positively noted and actioned
 > by the French radio authorities. It is an excellent extra step that
 > will preface the expected all- band extension of the DRM global
 > standard.”
 >
 > About DRM and DRM+
 >
 > DRM+ uses the same audio coding, data services, multiplexing and
 > signaling schemes as the established part of the DRM standard for
 > short, medium and long wave up to 30 MHz, but operates in higher
 > frequencies between 30 and 174 MHz (including the broadcasting bands
 > Band I and Band II). The DRM Consortium has completed the technical
 > development of DRM+. The technology enhancement to the DRM system
 > specification is currently in the ETSI standardization process.
 > Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRM) is the digital broadcasting system for
 > the broadcasting bands below 30MHz (long, medium and short wave). DRM
 > has near-FM sound quality plus the ease-of-use that comes from digital
 > transmissions, combined with long range and low power consumption.
 >
 > For more information and DRM updates please visit www.drm.org or
 > subscribe to DRM news by writing to pressoffice at drm.org
 >
 > For more information on SNRL : (33) 4 91.55.56.85, snrl at online.fr, and
 > http://www.snrl.org
 >
 > \\
 >
 > Community Media Association
 > --
 > http://www.commedia.org.uk/
 > http://twitter.com/community_media