DAB+ trials now on air in three ABU member countries

Digital radio is making its way in the Asia-Pacific region with DAB+ trials now on-air in Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia. There is also a strong interest in Thailand and regular services are being rolled out in Australia and Hong Kong.

In the MENA region, Kuwait is preparing for the second phase of a DAB+ trial and a decision regarding commercial roll out is expected once all trials have been completed. In the UAE, following a recent DAB+ trial, the TRA (Telecoms Regulation Authority) is working towards a commercial launch of DAB+ and has initiated industry consultation on DAB+ receiver specifications.

All these issues were raised last month at the workshop in Kuala Lumpur hosted in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU). The workshop brought together broadcasters from across the MENA and AsiaPac regions at all stages of digital radio development.

In the workshop, representatives of  these organisations covered DAB+’s background, the path to getting services on air, regulation required and looked forward to the future with hybrid radio and the potential to deliver images and information to listeners at home and on the move.