What must SA do to get on par with Finland and the UK on the Digital Platform? Online Radio Studies Presentation by Mfanafuthi & Vicky

WHAT IS DRM?  Digital Radio operating in AM bands with FM comparable stereo sound  Compatible with existing frequency bands, resulting up to 48kbit/s  Efficient frequency planning possible because of SFN  Digital Migration without limits

WHY GO DIGITAL?  More radio stations catering for fans of all types of music, sport and chat.  Better reception: no hiss, crackle, fading or station overlap that you get with AM or even FM radio.  Easy and quick tuning: no need to remember frequencies, fiddle with a dial to get a good signal, or retune your car radio when on the move.  Display screen on the radio: gives you information about what you're listening to (such as song details, news headlines, addresses).

DIGITAL ACCESS  Digital radio set: as with traditional sets, there are many kinds to choose from – portable, hand-held, hi-fi tuners, car radios, etc.  Digital TV: all digital TV platforms (digital terrestrial, satellite, cable, broadband)  Online: with speakers or headphones plugged into your computer.  Mobile: listen on FM or if you have a connected phone you can listen to BBC digital radio stations via the IP connection.  On the Move: There are also a range of digital radios for your car. Some manufacturers offer a digital radio as standard and others may offer it is an option. You can also purchase a small adaptor which can be fitted to your dashboard and connects to your existing radio. Some radios will require professional installation.

FINLAND:  The Finnish broadcasting corporation YLE started DAB transmissions in 1997, which covered approximately 2 million listeners.  Not many compliant devices were sold and hence the DAB transmitters were switched off in 2005, although transmissions of the digital radio channels continue in the digital television network.  Finland is providing digital radio via other digital broadcasting systems, such as DVB-H.

UK  In little more than two years the nation is expected to have embraced the digital radio revolution.  Two thirds of radio listening is still through an analogue set.  Experts are now saying it will actually be four years later than initially predicted - before the nation is fully digital.  Almost 42 per cent of Britons now have a DAB radio in their home, which means many have the technology but are simply not using it.  The slow take-up underlines industry concerns that the nation and consumers simply do not want the change, yet.  About 130million analogue radios in homes and cars must be replaced. Digital radio switchover will see all major radio stations transfer away from FM to DAB only.  The FM signal is not expected to be turned off but used by community radio groups.

UK  The Government has said that 50 per cent of all listening must be conducted digitally before switchover can begin to happen.  The new technology must also match the 99 per cent coverage of FM. It had been expected that this would occur between 2013 and 2015 with the later date earmarked as the year to begin the formal switchover process.  There have been concerns about the cost of replacing analogue radios in vehicles, whether coverage will be as good quality as FM and the expense of building new transmitters.

NOT EVERYONE IS READY FOR DIGITAL RADIO  Digital listening accounted for 26.9 per cent of the audience so the figure is increasing, but the technology has failed to grip the public’s imagination as the shift to digital TV did, with many questioning what the point is.  Improvements in programme and technology could help persuade audiences - Radio 4 Extra achieved record figures of 1.64 million for the second quarter of  And Rajar figures reveal that people are also listening to the radio online and on their mobile phones.

SOUTH AFRICA  If you go onto the site of The National DRM Platform of SA you will find:  This is not a good sign!  PURC Director Dr. Mark Jamison was interviewed about convergence while attending the Digital Multimedia Management and Regulation Forum in Pretoria, South Africa. He described the challenges and opportunities of broadband, today's electronic platform.  ayer_embedded ayer_embedded

CONCLUSION  Although Digital seems like the way forward, everyone is not moving at the same pace.  South Africa as a nation needs to be more informed.  Internet / Broadband / Connectivity problems need to be ironed out before we can move forward.