DAB+ in the spotlight at ABU DBS

For the first time at ABU DBS, WorldDAB is partnering with key supply-chain companies on a DAB+ pavilion. Ahead of the show, we speak to some of the exhibitors to find out what to expect and why Asia Pacific is a promising region for DAB+ in 2017.

Alex Ng, GatesAir

“We think DAB+ will be very attractive to broadcasters who want to distribute multichannel content,” said Alex Ng, Sales Support Manager – APAC Region at GatesAir. “DAB+ incorporates a much more efficient audio codec that allows for delivery of more channels, as well as richer datacasting opportunities that can also supplement in-vehicle navigation systems. But from a broader perspective, digital radio is the next big transition for the Asia-Pacific region, now that the DTV transition has made significant progress.”

“A number of Asia-Pacific countries have been, or are trialling DAB+,” says Edwin Kayes, Business Development Director at Factum Radioscape. “A small number of countries have shown greater commitment, but with uncertain timescales for deployment.”

Across Asia Pacific, in addition to full time DAB+ services in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and DMB services in South Korea, there are DAB+ trials on-air in New Zealand and Malaysia, with further DAB+ trials planned in 2017 for Myanmar and Thailand.

Arne Borsum, IZT

“Progress is slow, but I think for example south-east Asia is a promising market for digital radio,” said Arne Borsum, Product Manager at IZT. “There are countries which have set up trials and it will be interesting to see how they can make progress in establishing regular services.”

“Australia appears to be moving aggressively toward DAB+ adoption, beginning with two cities,” says Ng. “We also see Thailand as an interesting opportunity. They have been transmitting digital radio for two years and are very interested in what DAB+ offers.”

One topic being closely watched by broadcasters around the world is hybrid radio. Next week RadioDNS will be exhibiting on the DAB+ Pavilion and Nick Piggott believes DAB+ and IP can go hand in hand.

“DAB+ is a strong candidate for the digitisation of radio in the region, and could be even more interesting as a distribution technology when broadcasters are able to combine IP delivered services alongside it,” he said. “At DBS we’ll be explaining what RadioDNS Hybrid Radio is, and why combining broadcast radio with internet connectivity can create a far better experience of radio than using either technology alone. We’ll be showing a RadioDNS Hybrid Radio car radio system, as well as more traditional table top radios that support RadioDNS Hybrid Radio.”

Along with RadioDNS, on the stand delegates will find DAB+ experts available to discuss every stage and aspect of DAB+ trials and rollout.

Edwin Kayes, Factum Radioscape

“We will be offering visitors industry development information and guidance on implementing DAB+ encoding, multiplexing and monitoring,” says Factum Radioscape’s Kayes. “This will include options for all-in-one and virtualised server systems for small, medium and large Digital Radio networks.”

GatesAir experts will be on hand to discuss its range of products and solutions for the deployment of DAB Radio networks. “We’ll also talk about our intelligent networking solutions for the transport of content across large DAB contribution and distribution architectures.,” said Ng. “This includes the highly flexible EDI transport protocol, which we have successfully deployed in Norway for multipoint networking across a very wide geographical region.”

Nick Piggott, RadioDNS

Germany’s IZT will be showing multiplexing systems for DAB head-ends that are in use with several European broadcasters and network providers. “For several years we have been selling our test & measurement products successfully with help of our partner IZT Pacific,” says IZT’s Borsum. “Asia is an important market and it will be interesting to see how digital broadcasting in general and DAB in particular will develop in the next years.”

With Australia leading the way and trials planned throughout the year, there is a feeling of optimism for DAB+ in Asia Pacific. Anyone interested in finding out more can arrange an appointment during ABU DBS or contact the WorldDAB Project Office.

Exhibitors on the DAB+ Pavilion

Connects2

http://www.connects2.co.uk/

Connects2 Ltd was established in 1999, formerly part of Qualtronyc Group Ltd. Today it is firmly proved as the market leader in Europe for the supply of car audio interfaces, providing electronic boxes that allow aftermarket radios and other audio devices to be fitted seamlessly into most vehicles. 

Factum Radioscape

www.factumradioscape.com

With the amalgamation of Factum and Radioscape in Summer 2014 under the banner: Two Brands – One Team, both brands benefit from their combined technical experience covering support, manufacturing and product development.

Since 1997, Factum and Radioscape have been delivering innovative, reliable and cost-effective products for Digital Radio. Factum Radioscape products cover the full digital broadcast signal chain from audio coding, data insertion, multiplexing, distribution and multiplex management to supervision, monitoring and analysis.

Innovationszentrum für Telekommunikationstechnik GmbH IZT

www.izt-labs.de/en/home/

Since 1997, the Innovationszentrum für Telekommunikationstechnik GmbH IZT provides equipment for signal generation, receivers for signal monitoring and recording, transmitters for digital broadcast, digital radio systems and channel simulators.

The DAB-specific product portfolio includes the IZT DAB ContentServer – a highly reliable professional broadcast system for DAB. It combines audio encoding, data service management and ensemble/service multiplex generation in one device. 

GatesAir

www.gatesair.com/

GatesAir connects a legacy of innovation with a vision for the future.  GatesAir has been an innovator in over-the-air broadcasting for nearly 100 years, and today offers the industry’s broadest portfolio to help broadcasters deliver and monetize content.

GatesAir architects market-leading solutions for over-the-air broadcasting and public safety communications, leveraging the best use of wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services.

Paneda

Paneda’s vision is “Digital TV and –RADIO for everyone” The business idea is “Deliver digital telecommunication services through application of cost efficient technology” Paneda is a provider of services related to broadcasting of digital television and radio signals.

RadioDNS

https://radiodns.org/

RadioDNS is the international not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes hybrid radio, the seamless combination of broadcast radio technologies and IP connectivity. The organisation creates open technical standards that enable interoperability between content providers and devices, and we liaise with all parts of the radio and consumer electronics ecosystems to develop new functionality that can be delivered alongside broadcast radio using IP.