DIGITAL RADIO TRIALS COMMENCE

18 November 2003
15/03

Australian digital radio trials begin today, with the first trial commencing in Melbourne.

The implementation strategy and timetable for the introduction of digital radio services in Australia is yet to be determined by Government.

Digital radio services are still in their infancy around the world. A number of different systems and business models are being put to the test and no country has yet achieved a fully successful commercial service.

These trials will provide useful information on what digital radio offers for Australians and what challenges its introduction poses for industry, regulators and consumers.

Digital technology offers a range of potential benefits for listeners including better audio fidelity and the possibility of ancillary services such as images, news updates or weather information.

Industry stands to benefit from greater advertising sponsorship opportunities and the potential for subscription services.

Trials such as these will enable the Government and industry to gather more information on digital radio technology, the likely nature of digital services and the use of spectrum.

That sort of information is vital in making sensible decisions on future policy which ensures the introduction of digital radio occurs in a way that meets the needs and the interests of the Australian public.

The trials will contribute to the fact base which the Government and industry can use to make the decisions on digital radio's future in Australia.

For the Melbourne trial, Broadcast Australia is importing a limited number of specialised digital radio receivers. These will be made available to consumer focus groups to test the capabilities of the technology.

The Broadcast Australia trials in Melbourne and the Commercial Radio Australia trials, which will commence in Sydney shortly, both involve the Eureka 147 digital radio technology.

This technology is favoured in the United Kingdom, across Europe, and in parts of Asia due to its high data-carrying potential which increases its capacity to deliver the kind of innovative services that will differentiate digital radio from analog.

The Government, through the Australian Broadcasting Authority, has made spectrum available in the VHF Band for the trials.

I look forward to seeing the results of these trials and their contribution to the digital radio debate.


Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373