During 2023, new DAB+ trial services launched in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. To support the spread of the digital radio technology, WorldDAB introduced a new report on suggested guidelines for DAB+ trial services.
The guide covers multiple aspects that have proven effective in previous DAB+ trials including motivation, stakeholder engagement, regulatory and licensing issues, equipment considerations, network and reception testing, and how to conclude field trials. The guide was released during the 2024 ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“When radio stakeholders become interested in establishing DAB+ digital radio, they want to explore DAB+ features and capabilities and understand the process to establish DAB+ as a full-scale national broadcasting system,” stated WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill. “One of the best ways to undertake these initial steps is to establish an on-air field trial and this new guide is designed to help them successfully take these first steps which inform the final system design.”
The guide describes trials as a key step in laying the groundwork for a future rollout and full implementation of DAB. It also notes the importance of being able to explore different aspects of the technology for different stakeholders, for example, listeners and broadcasters may care more about audio quality while network operators and regulators may focus more on capacity and interference.
The new factsheet, “DAB+ Digital Radio: A Guide to a Successful Field Trial,” joins a number of other free resources offered by WorldDAB to support the launch and operation of DAB+ services, including the 118-page e-book “Establishing DAB Digital Broadcast Radio,” available in both English and French.
