For the first time, DAB digital radio is on the agenda of the EP’s Intergroup Audiovisual Policy. The group is a part of the European Parliament and meets regularly in Brussels to discuss audiovisual issues relevant to Europe. The meeting was a very significant one for digital radio in Europe, sending a positive political signal that the importance of DAB is growing within the EP, according to the World DAB Forum, a marketing group that promotes the Eureka-147 technology.
Representatives from the BBC and WorldDAB, along with the head of engineering from Sweden’s public radio broadcaster, Swedish Radio, showed the group that while digital radio via various platforms is a reality in some European countries, in others it has reached a vulnerable place where the implementation of strong legislation, regulation and spectrum issues are crucial.
Group Chair Ruth Hieronymi emphasized the importance of growing digital radio and national promotion schemes in order to achieve digital radio switchover in member states.
From Swedish Radio, Kjell Engstrom demonstrated how DAB can benefit European citizens, not simply via enhanced audio services, but through its capacity to deliver data and video to a variety of receivers (including mobile phones).
Simon Nelson, Controller of Radio & Music Interactive for the BBC, demonstrated how the broadcaster is turning radio into a more interactive experience across several platforms, using scrolling text and on-demand digital services.