Testing is underway for Launceston to become the 11th Australian city to get DAB+ digital radio. This is five years after Hobart was the first regional city to so in 2018.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) are consulting with the community on this proposed change, saying the digital outlay will initially service only the ABC and SBS. The ABC is currently trialing the technology with a licence condition that prevents the provision of broadcasting services.

Strangely, Launceston commercial stations LAFM, Chilli FM and SEN Track have not expressed interest in obtaining their own digital licences to ACMA, so community stations in the area are also currently ineligible.

ACMA can make a later determination under a subsection of the Broadcasting Services Act that that would allow eligibility for community stations, with consultation done prior, and the community radio broadcasting licensees needing to seek access to the foundation category 1 DRMT through a digital community radio broadcasting representative company.

A CBAA representative told Hobart’s Pulse:

“The CBAA is involved in DAB+ research and trials that are already on-air on a limited coverage basis in Launceston and look forward to community services being available on free-to-air DAB+ digital radio across Northern Tasmania on a permanent basis.”