[cma-l] [comradio-l] Fw: DRM+ successfully trialled in Paris

Tue Jun 16 13:56:25 BST 2009

Ian, 
Thanks for your comments.

The reason the BBC made the running on DAB was because it enabled it to fulfil the remit of providing a wide range of relevant output to the majority of the population. The CRCA saw DAB as an expansion of the industry and the potential for revenue as multiplex owners. Both of course driven by a lack of VHF spectrum. 

Technologies such as DRM & DRM+ significantly improve the availability of bandwidth while reducing the cost of carriage to the hard strapped commercial and community radio sectors. 

In this respect the government, through the regulator Ofcom, are responsible to the public and the industry to ensure a healthy radio sector. The longer the dead horse that is DAB is flogged the worst it becomes for all. 

The next thing that will happen is the realisation the pseudo national commercial stations are consuming vast swaths of VHF spectrum. At which point the commercial industry will lobby to keeping this valuable asset arguing that the majority of listing is non digital. The strength of this will of course mean that the small fry like community radio, will be in a no better situation than now.

This is the simple economics of a scares resource, in this case spectrum. The solution is simple, to increase the resource through technologies like DRM and DRM+ which will even out the playing field.   

... and now time for hymn number ... 

Alan

Alan - I think that's an unfair judgment.
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

-----Original Message-----
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Alan Coote
Sent: 16 June 2009 01:33
To: 'CMA-L'; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk
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 [mailto:comradio-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of CMA-L
Sent: 15 June 2009 15:36
To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk
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
-- 
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