UK report on digital radio switchover calls for more frequencies
The London-based Digital Radio Development Bureau's 8/30 report considered the criteria for analog radio switchover in the UK. The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury said that in the UK, incomplete coverage of local radio services represents the greatest obstacle to the move to an all-digital environment. Lord Smith recommends that Ofcom [the UK's broadcasting regulator] should give urgent consideration to reconfiguration of existing frequencies to make more efficient use of existing DAB spectrum. The UK uses the Eureka-147 DAB system, which uses different frequencies than the FM band. The US's HD Radio system allows for more channels via multicasting.
The report, commissioned by the DRDB (Digital Radio Development Bureau) whose stakeholders include the BBC, GCap Media, Emap, Digital One and the Chrysalis led MXR consortium, examines the issues that need to be resolved before a full switchover from analogue to digital radio service might be possible in the UK.
Although 46% of local commercial radio stations and nearly three-quarters of BBC local and regional services are already broadcasting on DAB digital radio, there is insufficient spectrum to allow all such services to migrate to the DAB platform. Even when more spectrum becomes available next year, many smaller local stations simply cannot afford to make the transition to digital.
Along with additional spectrum and more efficient use of existing spectrum, Smith also recommends that a cross-industry working group be established to identify possible financial arrangements to assist smaller stations to bear the costs of moving to digital broadcasting.
The report also recommends:
* New frequencies should be earmarked for radio and not left open for non-radio purposes
* Complementary technologies, such as DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale), could be broadcast alongside DAB if necessary. Ofcom should examine the "dual-use" option as an alternative or additional solution
* The benefits and services of data in DAB digital radio broadcasting should be factored into the Ofcom studies
* Government, Ofcom and radio broadcasters should use Britain's presidency of the EU to "persuade, excite and encourage" EU partner nations to progress the development of DAB radio in Europe
* Government should shed its "technology neutral" stance and act as a champion for progress to digital radio
* Once a route to digital switch over is established, government should facilitate a public campaign to inform and encourage people about the possibilities of digital radio
Chairman of the DRDB, Ralph Bernard, says: "Digital radio is the most important development in UK radio broadcasting in more than 30 years. The move to an all-digital future is inevitable and this important report starts the process for setting a timetable for analogue switch over. I agree with Lord Smith that we should be working towards an analog cut-off date."
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