Australian AM radio network 2ME Arabic Radio is testing Digital Radio Mondiale transmissions in Sydney, New South Wales. DRM proponents say 2ME is the first commercial broadcaster in Australia to use all-digital DRM radio technology.
The move coincides with 2ME’s 10th anniversary as a partner station with BBC Arabic.
2ME Spokesman John Martin stated: “The digital spectrum allocation excluded foreign language stations such as 2ME. As a business we did not want to be left behind so we found a technological solution to the problem of how to go digital with the other commercial metro broadcasters.
Although still in trial mode at the station, Martin stated the station has received word from regulators that, provided the trial proves successful, the station could continue to broadcast using DRM permanently.
Morphy Richards and Himalaya (Power) Electronics digital radio receivers are available in Australia; the radios receive Eureka-147 DAB digital signals, as well as DRM and analog AM and FM signals.
China is also poised to begin DRM AM transmissions prior to the XXIX Olympic Games, as is India, according to the DRM Consortium.
