Nine spectrum lots have been reserved for potential use in Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmissions.

ACMA has embargoed the frequencies 5950–6200, 7100–7300, 9500–9900, 11650–12050, 13600–13800, 15100–15600, 17550–17900, 21450–21850 and 25670–26100 kHz because the regulator is keen to preserve them for future DRM use.

DRM trials are currently planned for Canberra and Newcastle with regional commercial broadcasters especially keen to see if the European based system, which is similar to America’s ‘HD Radio’ IBOC standard, will be useful and cost-effective for regional Australia.

The ACMA document announcing the embargo says:

“The purpose of this embargo is to support planning of the bands to accommodate domestic broadcasting services using DRM technology. ACMA is currently considering international developments of DRM using these bands and needs to preserve the availability of the bands for potential future use by DRM services in Australia.

“The bands are embargoed to ensure that ACMA’s ability to implement the resulting planning arrangements is not constrained by the use of the bands by additional radiocommunications services.”