Ofcom DAB switchover coverage planning proposals
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV The proposals cover the most pressing needs for the DAB network:
- provision of local radio DAB for those areas with no current coverage
- coverage of both homes and in-car use
- the addition of a new block (5A) that will allow the local radio blocks to expand to fill the "editorial" coverage areas to match the current FM areas
- the use of 99%/99% DAB prediction for indoor home reception, and normal car use.
Of particular interest are:
- FM current coverage maps and tables which show maps for the current BBC local radio and largest commercial local radio for each "editorial region".
- Local DAB build-out plans that show the expected coverage for each DAB area after various plans have been implemented.
Ofcom is asking for responses using this online form: Responding to the DAB Coverage Planning consultation by 5pm on 14 September 2011.
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Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Mark: There's more about the DRM trial here - BBC - Devon - Digital Medium Wave - Digital medium wave trial report .
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Thursday, 21 July 2011
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Trevor Harris2:17 PM
Yes Steve P you are right the number of FM recievers is massive. Just about every mobile has an FM tuner. Most DAB radios have FM tuners so switching off DAB will have a minute impact compared to switching off FM.
I don't know about DRM+ being dead I just think it hasn't be born yet. As I pointed out it is about 5 times more spectrally efficient. The BBC experiment was very interesting. The interference mentioned by Mark comes from a Spanish station which reduces the night coverage on both AM and DRM. The BBC used a very low bitrate of 23kb/s inorder to keep within the mw channel limits.
Whether DRM will be a commercial success I just don't know. It certainly is technically far superia to the legacy DAB system.
Ofcom wants to sell off the FM white space and that would prevent it being used for DRM.
I notice Mark that you want choice but unfortunatly DAB will not do that. It will give you lots of stations but they all sound the same. The reason is that most of them are run by large broadcasting companies. Ofcom has failed to deliver the variety that independent stations can bring. The automatic renewing of FM licences has not helped. That is why there are so many pirate stations which have quite large audiances. They often specialize in a particular gendre of music. The other problem is that DAB is too expensive. Not a single DAB only station makes a profit.
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Mark6:23 PM
Trevor, I'm not sure if you have ever listened to BBC Radio 6 Music or Jazz FM but no FM station plays the kind of music that they do. BBC Radio 6 Music alone justifies the licence fee - the range of music played is unequalled at around 4,000 unique tracks each month.
Most areas of the country have a commercial radio "choice" on FM of Heart (or something similar) and maybe a small-scale station pumping out the same cheesy hits. Then there are regionals such as Real Radio and Capital also pumping out the same old stuff.
The pirate FM stations that you refer to are mainly playing the same kind of stuff as BBC 1Xtra and Choice on DAB.
I'm not sure if your claim about the financial state of digital-only stations is correct, but I think Absolute 80s and Jazz FM both cover their operating costs with the advertising and sponsorship income they attract. They have both attracted decent audiences and are growing.
Interesting to note that today sees the launch of a new local radio for the South Wales valleys on DAB-only - Mountain Radio. This replaces the AM station that closed a couple of years ago and provides a much-needed community service for the area.
Welcome to Mountain FM's Website
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Friday, 22 July 2011
Mark: "comparemyradio" is an excellent resource - Comparing: Heart Sussex to BBC 6 Music - Compare My Radio - it makes a very good point about how different BBC Radio 6 Music to the commercial stations.
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Sunday, 24 July 2011
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Trevor Harris8:25 AM
The difference is money. I read recently that the BBC spends over £4000 per hour for some of its radio 4 programs. Its only the forced licence that makes it impossible for anyone else to compete.
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michael10:43 AM
Good to see a community-style station on DAB. Loud and clear this side of the water. Technically noteworthy the re-allocation of bitrates - see below.
"Interesting to note that today sees the launch of a new local radio for the South Wales valleys on DAB-only - Mountain Radio. This replaces the AM station that closed a couple of years ago and provides a much-needed community service for the area." http://www.mountainfm.co.uk/" (Mark)
"Space on the otherwise full multiplex has been made available by GMG, which has reduced the bit rate of its Rock Radio and Real Radio services. It launched at 7am today (Wednesday). In related news, Nation Radio has gained permission to drop from 128 k/bits to 64 k/bits on the same multiplex, to allow sister-station Bay Radio to commence broadcasting on the DAB platform using the remaining space." (Radio Today)
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Monday, 25 July 2011
michael: Yes, indeed, it would be very sensible to allow community stations to use any unallocated DAB multiplex space. Indeed, it should probably be the law that any space on any multiplex should be notified to Ofcom and allocated for free within 24 hours.
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michael 9:25 AM
Good idea, Brian. If only there were more flexibility in "the system"... For example, BBC local radio could do the same and broadcast from Wales to the northern wastes of Devon, thereby reducing the number of infill transmitters required for full coverage. I am impressed with reception from Wales via my DAB cheapo, on-floor with 30cm aerial - much better than expected. Maybe somebody camping in northern France will report back soon!
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Tuesday, 26 July 2011
michael : Given that the community stations are on air, and carrying 80kbps over the net is almost no cost, it would make DAB a better consumer proposition and encourage commercial stations in the process.
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