Despite dire predictions for the future of digital radio by a Financial Review article (see other story) the mood of Asian Broadcasters is bullish about the new technology. At a conference in Kuala Lumpur, which began today, there was a record number of delegates from throughout Asia and the Pacific eager to hear how their countries could progress towards digital radio broadcasting.

Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for Information, Mr Chye, opened the conference saying digital radio is “inevitable” and the opportunity must be exploited in an ordered manner: “Spectrum, like land, is a scarce resource and must be planned.”

The conference is organised by the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. ABC Secretary General David Astley expects digital radio to have a big effect on audiences in this region.

As audience response to digital radio grows in the heavily populated areas of Asia, receivers and transmission equipment is expected to become more readily available and cheaper. Speakers in the early sessions of the conference have shown off many new types of receivers that will deliver enhanced program associated data (PAD) features and will interact with mobile phones to deliver benefits to advertisers.

On a walk around the exhibition after the official opening, the Deputy Information Minister spoke to Broadcast Australia representatives at the company’s stand in the exhibition hall (pictured below).