AGCOM, the Italian broadcasting regulator, has approved the launch of VHF band III digital radio services using the DAB+ encoding system.
Regulations issued in early December by AGCOM include provisions on coverage area, networking for national services, spectrum allocation for services, local coverage and rules on simulcasting and new content. The regulations go into effect in January 2010 and digital radio development will move forward from here, according to Club DAB Italia.
Club DAB Italia has been operating a five-station DAB+ bouquet since July as a demonstration of the technology and as a test bed for how DAB+ might be used in Italy.
