The ACMA has extended the current digital radio trials in Canberra and Darwin for another year. The test licences have been extended to allow for further coverage measurement, testing of local terrain impairments, receiver analysis, staff training and continued trials in different climatic conditions. The commercial and SBS stations currently on air in both cities can now continue broadcasts in DAB+ until 31 July 2012.
Canberra FM is “really pleased to see the trial extended,” according to General Manager Eoghan O’Byrne, as it ensures listeners will receive the same high level of digital radio services as listeners living in metro areas. Canberra FM’s two stations 104.7 and 106.3 are both on air during the trial, along with their extra digital channels.
What have station staff learnt about digital radio during the trial phase?
“Our staff have embraced this new technology and have enjoyed the added features it has to offer our market. We have added Classic Hits Plus and RADAR. The obvious learning curve has occurred in our technical department, they have spent a lot of time observing coverage and fixing problems that have occurred during the trial.”
O’Byrne has told radioinfo listener reaction been good so far. “We have educated our clients and listeners about the introduction of the digital radio trial. Overall the feedback we have received is positive and we are working with local retailers to ascertain the demand on digital receivers in the market.”
Commercial Radio Australia chief executive Joan Warner says the trials “are providing imperative information to regional broadcasters and assisting the radio industry to develop digital radio channel plans for all regional areas.”
ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman says the regulator “remains committed to facilitating trials of new broadcasting technologies and is pleased to assist with the trialling of digital radio in these two cities. The extension of the current digital radio trials will also allow further testing of DAB+ digital radio technology in regional areas. The findings from the trials are expected to be valuable in the development of the Australian Government’s regional digital radio policy.”
The trials, using VHF Band III spectrum and DAB+ digital radio technology, are part of the progress towards the rollout of digital radio beyond the five major capital cities already on air, but don’t offer broadcasters any long term guarantee of spectrum. Extending services permanently to the rest of Australia is “dependent on policy and technological decisions that are still to be made by the federal government,” according to ACMA.
The Minister is currently considering a range of broader issues associated with a regional roll-out of digital radio, but a positive outcome is anticipated. “It is likely that any government policy for regional digital radio will result in some combination of DAB+ services being provided in these markets in the long-term,” says ACMA.
Both regional trials have also provided valuable hands-on experience for regional radio staff in working with DAB+ equipment and functionality, with each area having its own particular transmission challenges based on local geography.
Commercial radio stations 2CA, 2CC, Mix 106.3, 104.7, Classic Hits Plus, My Canberra, Hot Country and Radar, plus SBS Radio 1 and SBS Radio 2, SBS Pop Asia and SBS Chill are all broadcasting in DAB+ in Canberra. Hot 100 and Mix 104.9 and digital only services, Top Country Digital and Radio TAB are on air in Darwin. ABC Radio is not participating in either of the two trials.
Canberra and Darwin DAB+ trials have been the first outside the metropolitan capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. CRA hopes further trial licences will be granted in other regional areas including Hobart and Townsville.
The DAB+ trial signal in both cities is currently at low power, but so far tests have indicated coverage has been able to extend to a large part of the licence areas.
A boost was required to retransmit the trial signal into Parliament House. This has provided additional testing opportunities for “in building” coverage in what CRA calls “a challenging structure,” says Warner.