DAB News

All pointless - there's no point in carrying stations on DAB that are available on FM.

Also no point if you can't get a decent quality feed from the programme sources, that 'trial' is just using web streams, most very dodgy quality.

DAB will only work in Ireland if it carries other services.

But that's why the IBI don't want it - they don't want any competition. So the only reason they're on board for this test is that THEIR members are the only stations on it.

Sigh.

It is pointless this is proven technology what is there to test

dave4565 wrote: »

It is pointless this is proven technology what is there to test

it's not pointless. the technology hasn't been proved in irish conditions, so therefore it has to be tested. This particular mux is using software based solutions so they will need to be tested in terms of irish conditions such as coverage.

JDxtra wrote: »

It's not using web feeds. They've sent units to each of the commercial stations to capture the audio at source.

oh - I wonder why the audio qualities are so variable then.

There is a saying: “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. I’m sure Viacom would concur.

dave4565 wrote: »

transmitting from montrose using 200w is not testing coverage

it actually is testing coverage. these minny muxes are for small local based dab setups. these setups are good for community radio, or could be used for small infill setups for coverage blackspots. if the trial is successful it might potentially lead to some sort of rollout, all be it that is probably more wishful thinking then actual reality. the potential is there though.

Expunge wrote: »

So why not test it in South Kerry and Donegal?

what is wrong with testing it in dublin which would be easier and quicker for the operators of the mux to get to.
contact the mux operator and ask them why they made the choice to test in dublin rather then elsewhere. viamux is their name i believe. let us know what they say.

the IBI will have no choice but to put up with more competition in the terrestrial radio sector eventually if they want to remain relevant. they will either willingly engage or be left behind, but more competition is coming sooner or later whether they want it or not.
terrestrial radio listening while still high is slowly decreasing due to other forms of competition which offers choice and meets listeners requirements, so if the IBI want terrestrial radio to remain relevant they will modernise.

The Cush wrote: »

The small-scale DAB trial mini-muxes in the UK are licensed to transmit at 50-100 watts, higher than analogue community radio at 25 watts.

that's right. the good thing is it will mean that local uk community radio will have a decent potential reach finally.

The Cush wrote: »

Future planning for the rollout of these muxes nationwide will limit the power to 100 watts.

that's a bit disappointing if i'm honest. i was hoping that things would be taken on a case by case basis but i suppose realistically it's not the most important thing for now. maybe in time the limits will be increased where warrented.

Trick of the Tail wrote: »

All pointless - there's no point in carrying stations on DAB that are available on FM.

But that's why the IBI don't want it - they don't want any competition. So the only reason they're on board for this test is that THEIR members are the only stations on it.

And what stations would you propose they do put on there? Depending on who you ask, either any station with a licence from the competent authority in an EU member state can broadcast on a 'local' platform (seems to work for Satellite and Cable?) or only a local station can do so vis-a-vis content licence.

Of course they don't, it's easy to claim you're "number one" when you have a captive market and effectively zero competition. Easy to justify when you cite "finite advertising income" and easy to implement when you have regulatory capture.

digitalise wrote: »

Yes they are all stations that are already on FM but elsewhere in the country - not Dublin.

...Is the tail wagging the dog?

So Dubliners with DAB radios can now experience the radio landscape in the South East; three ILRs within reception range all sounding effectively the same as each other.

Yes, it's text-book regulatory capture.

Marcos Purring Piano wrote: »

Instinctively I just went for a FM/AM radio but it got me thinking afterwards. Where are we in Ireland with DAB and is there any chance in the future that Ireland will do a switch-over from FM to DAB?

Stuck in first gear, no national digital radio rollout plan, no FM transition plan, no interest from the commercial broadcasters.

Waiting for an announcement about this small-scale DAB+ trial and the future plans for digital radio, likely to happen at the Digital Radio UK ‘Doing the DAB’ event in Belfast on Nov 17th where JP Coakley, RTÉ's Director of Radio Operations, is taking part.

Elsewhere, Norway switches off the last of their national FM transmitters this Dec as they complete the transition to digital radio broadcasting. Switzerland - South Tyrol 2017, DSO national start 2020 - and Denmark may follow in the years ahead. These countries have population coverage in excess of 98%. The UK, Germany and Netherlands have similar coverage but no plans to switch off FM broadcasting.

More Music wrote: »

Just to clarify, Norway are indeed at a very advanced stage of DAB roll out and FM switch off. However, it is only for national services. They are keeping local and regional FM transmitters. The DAB service only carries national radio stations.

Yes, that's why I mentioned their national FM transmitters. The national commercial, PSBs (regional) and larger local broadcasters are switching to DAB/DAB+ only. Smaller local stations can continue on FM until the end of 2021.

More Music wrote: »

The DAB service only carries national radio stations.

Not correct, there are currently 7 local multiplexes carry mostly DAB+ exclusive stations with licence applications being advertised for other areas -

http://www.wohnort.org/dab/ireland.html#tests

Latest snapshots of the Dublin mini muxes, updated earlier today. Still some stations without audio.

Digital Radio UK ‘Doing the DAB’ event in Belfast today, 11.00-12.00, where JP Coakley, RTÉ's Director of Radio Operations, is taking part.

http://www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk/events/doing-the-dab/

Doing the Dab – the future of radio in Northern Ireland

Digital radio listening in Northern Ireland is now growing faster than the rest of the UK and the availability of DAB has been transformed with over 54 stations available, and coverage expanded. The last 3 years have seen the launch of local stations Downtown Country, BBC Radio Foyle and most recently U105 on DAB, as well as the launch of the second national DAB network, Sound Digital, with 18 stations. This investment in content and coverage has accelerated the growth of DAB ownership to 40% and digital listening to 30%, behind the rest of the UK but growing fast.

Doing the DAB: Northern Ireland will hear about the future of digital radio in Northern Ireland and how local stations BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, Downtown Radio, Downtown Country, Cool FM and U105 are using digital platforms to reach new audiences.

Additionally, the Republic of Ireland’s public service broadcaster, RTÉ, will talk about future plans for digital radio

Speakers:

Ford Ennals
Stuart Robinson
Mark Mahaffy
JP Croakley
Jimmy Buckland
Peter McVerry
Michael Tumelty
Larry Deeney