SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: In South Africa the National
Association of Broadcasters and the Southern African Digital Broadcasting
Association (Sadiba), are busy with DAB+ and DRM digital radio technology trials,
which are being headed by Dave Cherry. Cherry shares with Screen Africa how
Africa and the rest of the world are moving towards this digital medium.
Radio remains an important and cost effective mass medium to reach
Africans. As with television broadcasting, does radio have an analogue switch off
deadline? Do you think it is necessary to have one?
No, in South Africa the introduction of digital radio will not see a switch off deadline
for analogue radio for a very long time. While it can be argued that a switch off
deadline could “force’ an uptake of digital radio, the situation in SA is very different.
The introduction of digital radio will not be a migration as is the case with digital
TV. The two technologies can reside alongside each other but because the
advantages of digital radio are numerous it will see broadcasters wanting to go
digital asap. Here are some of the reasons:
• To keep radio relevant in the digital age
• There is no high power FM spectrum available for new entrants and the
expansion of existing services in SA major metropolitan areas
• DAB+ is established and growing
• Numerous success stories
• DAB+ receiver availability
• A large amount of consumption of radio is in the car
• Traditional radio listening is not being replaced by internet radio
• Digital radio is free to air broadcasting
Digital radio provides the following benefits:
• Efficient use of spectrum
• Multiple channel capability (up to 20 channels) on one transmitter
• Advanced audio quality
• Ease of reception
• Portable and mobile coverage
• Enhanced service offerings, including data
• Lower transmitter power per audio service
• Economical
What are the requirements and technology criteria for digital radio
migration?
South Africa won’t be having a digital radio migration as such. It will be introduced
alongside FM initially in SA major metropolises where there is an immediate need
for it. The broadcast regulator ICASA has still to formulate a Digital Radio
Broadcasting Policy before it can licence broadcasters. Networks will need to be
established and receivers of various descriptions will need to be made available to
retail for the public to buy.
Norway will be the first country to switch off analogue radio signals in
2017. What are the international trends in this area?
There have been a number of European countries that have indicated an eventual
switch off of analogue radio (FM). In additional to Norway; Denmark, Switzerland
and possibly the Netherlands have indicated a switch off sometime in 2027.
Australia which has had a very successful rollout of digital radio will not be
switching off FM.
How receptive do you think African audiences will be to digital radio?
Because digital radio offers so much more by providing multimedia services in
addition to audio it has the potential of offering exciting features to listeners. It will
also allow more entrants to the broadcasting industry and thereby offer more choice
to listeners – and choice will be a major draw card for African listeners.
What is the take up of digital radio like in developed countries?
The best example of the take up of digital radio is the UK, followed by Norway,
Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. Oceania Australia has had an amazing take up
considering its population .
Here is an extract from the WorldDMB office on the important developments of DAB
digital radio in the world dated 5th July 2015:
Recent months have seen several important developments for DAB digital radio:
• Norway will switch off FM in 2017
• Switzerland has announced its plans for DSO (Digital Switchover) between 2020
and 2024
• In Germany, following public broadcaster ARD’s long term commitment to DAB+
in November 2014, the Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure has made
clear its strong support and has established a new cross-industry Steering Board to
drive forward the adoption of digital radio
• The UK has launched a major programme to build out national and local DAB
coverage, and the licence for a second national commercial multiplex has been
awarded, with up to 15 new stations on air in early 2016
• Denmark has issued a clear roadmap for digital radio, with a transition to DAB+
by end 2016 and a decision on DSO when 50% of listening is digital
• The Netherlands has seen the launch (Sept 2013) and strong marketing of national
DAB+ services. The next phase of development takes place in 2015 with the launch
of regional services.
• In Italy, in March the regulator AgCom issued licences in three new regions; the
coverage of national services is being extended in the South of Italy and Sicily and
a plan of frequencies for local digital radio in 40 new regions has been published
and AgCom will most likely publish the rules to extend DAB+ services in the new
local areas by this summer.
• In France, the regulator CSA has issued a report in favour of digital radio – with
plans for services in several new cities (following the launches in 2014 in Paris,
Nice and Marseille).
• In Sweden, the Government adviser has proposed a roadmap for DAB+; this
roadmap is being reviewed by the Swedish authorities.
• In Poland, Polskie Radio has extended coverage of its DAB+ services to 53%
• In the Asia Pacific region, Australia continues to lead the way – with DAB+
household penetration rising to 23%
While the above considers the DAB+ digital radio technology there is another digital
radio technology that is being considered for introduction to South Africa in addition
to DAB+. This technology digitises AM radio. It is known as DRM and its most
successful deployment is in India where AM has been the main medium of broadcast
for the national public broadcaster for years. FM was only introduced in India
(approx. 15 years ago) to private radio broadcasters.
Trials of both technologies are currently on air in the province of Gauteng .
