Joan Warner, Asia Pacific Chair of WorldDAB and CEO of Commercial Radio Australia said today that there is growing interest in DAB+ digital radio across the Asia Pacific. ” WorldDAB is committed to assisting broadcasters and regulators in the region, sharing best practice and key learnings from over 20 countries with established DAB+ services and another 20 with DAB+ trials or regulation in development. I think 2017 will be a pivotal year for many decision makers.“

Titled “DAB+ expansion in Asia Pacific,” the WorldDAB workshop will cover the latest developments in DAB+ digital radio, an introduction to hybrid radio, the business case for implementing DAB+ and the benefits of DAB+ in smartphones. Speakers include Joan Warner as well as Lindsay Cornell from the BBC, Les Sabel and Bernie O’Neill from WorldDAB, Nick Piggott from RadioDNS, and Jørn Jensen from NRK in Norway, the first country to switch off FM.

The second half of the workshop will feature breakout sessions, in which participants will be invited to focus on three aspects of digital radio: regulation, technology and developing new content on DAB+. A nominated spokesperson from each group will present a summary of their discussion to workshop participants, and key findings will be published. Groupe will be facilitated by the speakers above, plus Steve Ahern from AMT.

WorldDAB is once again principal sponsor of DBS and DAB+ will feature throughout the main conference programme, with speakers discussing DAB+ technology enhancements, spectrum efficiencies, opportunities for new content on DAB+, hybrid radio, DAB+ digital infrastructure, and cost savings. Simon Fell, Head of Technology at EBU will join the speaker line up.

This year, for the first time there will be a DAB+ pavilion featuring supply chain companies with a footprint in Asia Pacific – Connects2, Factum Radioscape, GatesAir, IZT, Paneda and RadioDNS. Delegates are invited to visit the pavilion and meet the experts who can provide information and advice on implementing DAB+ digital radio.  

Australia leads the way for DAB+ in Asia Pacific, with 3.6 million listeners. Indonesia launched trial services in April 2016, DAB+ trials are taking place in New Zealand, Myanmar, and in Malaysia a trial local DAB+ multiplex is on air in Kuala Lumpur shared by public and commercial broadcasters.

ABU DBS takes place from the 6-9 March in Kuala Lumpur. To register, request a visa letter or for more information, visit http://www.abu.org.my/Event-_-dbs2017.aspx