SYDNEY, Australia�The Australian Communications and Media Authority is extending the current digital radio trials in Canberra and Darwin until the end of June next year.
The trials are being conducted by Commercial Radio Australia. Participants in the Canberra trial include The Australian Broadcasting Company and the Special Broadcasting Service, and there are hopes that other broadcasters will join in the trials soon, according toradioinfo.com.au.�
Commercial Radio Australia says it looks forward to exploring how these services can become permanent, as suggested in the Communications Department�s recently released Digital Radio Report.� Another recommendation in the report is the establishment of a Digital Radio Planning Committee for Regional Australia, to be chaired by the ACMA, which will focus on the rollout of digital radio to regional areas. �Priority will first be given to licensing of permanent digital radio services in Canberra and Darwin and then exploring new areas in Australia.
Digital radio services using DAB+ technology have been operating in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney since July 1 of 2009.
