T-DMB, Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting, and DAB+, Digital Audio Broadcasting+, are new expressions of Digital Radio and are predisposed to deliver innovative information and entertainment services in step with modern lifestyles and ways of listening to radio.
The trial launched in January 2009 by Caterpillar, a programme of Radio 2, is the RAI Group’s first experience with Digital Radio, in which Rai Way is proud to collaborate and offer both technical and innovative support.
ACCESS THE DIGITAL RADIO WEB SIMULATOR
Digital radio broadcasting, intended as a “Visual Radio”, opens new potential options for:
- information on the go
- local information contents
- enriching and giving depth to audio programs
- customized listening thanks to the new “pause” and “rewind” functions.
The advantages of Digital Radio are:
- a more efficient use of the spectrum without switching-off analogue radio
- lthe possibility of widening the range of contents offered to users
- lower electromagnetic impact albeit with an equal level of radio broadcasts
For Rai Way, the many ways of “making” Digital Radio find their best applications in:
- high-quality digital sound with DAB+
- image and video viewing coupled with DMB-encoded audio
- data transmission used towards developing value added services like:
- (information on: traffic, weather, news, places of interest...) through the use of the TPEG standard
- entertainment (Gaming, Widget, Personal Radio…) through the use of the BIFS standard
Promotion Digital Radio
In line with its vision on the potential of digital radio and on the future scenarios for the delivery of different technological platforms, in March 2008 Rai Way established ARD, “Associazione per la Radiofonia Digitale in Italia”, in partnership with Aeranti-Corallo and RNA – Radio Nazionali Associate.
The aim underlying the initiative is to create a common front in promoting the start-up and multi-operator development of new digital terrestrial radio in Italy.
Ongoing trials with Digital Radio
In addition to the digital radio broadcasting performed through its own network, whose coverage currently reaches over 40% of the population, in the last few years Rai Way launched several trials that, in several cases. have also synergically involved important players in the sector, both local and private.
Rai Way's testing of DAB+ and DMB VR together with Aeranti-Corallo
Testing on DAB+ and DMB VR, performed together with Aeranti–Corallo, is taking place in Bologna and Venice and represents the first occasion in which to create synergies between Rai Way, a public service operator, and the world of private broadcasting. More specifically, out of the numerous radio networks that are members of the Aeranti–Corallo consortium, 17 local broadcasters are taking part in the tests on the Venice-based AERANTICORALLO1 multiplex and 19 on the Bologna-based AERANTICORALLO2 multiplex.
Rai Way’s testing of DAB+ and DMB VR together with Club DAB Italia, C.R. Dab and EuroDAB Italia
Equally aimed at creating synergies with the sector’s operators are the ongoing tests being run in the area of Rome by Rai Way together with Club DAB Italia, C.R. Dab and EuroDAB Italia.
The agreement signed provides for the broadcasting of up to 4 multiplex channels from the Monte Mario station. Three multiplexes are in VHF BAND and the one is in L BAND:
VHF Band:
- The mux Club DAB – Rai Way, containing 8 RAI programs and 2 private programs
- The mux EuroDAB Italia which hosts 10 private programs
- The mux of the Consorzio C.R. Dab, that will host up to 20 private radio programs
L Band:
- The mux Club DAB Italia, on L band, hosting 7 private radio programs
The experimentation on DRM
Analogue AM transmissions on Long, Medium and Short Wavelengths are the most long-dated and have been amply superseded from a technological point of view by FM and DAB+/DMB transmissions, as they offer definitely better quality.
DRM, Digital Radio Mondiale, was developed with the aim of offering a digital quality also in these wavelengths. 1998 is the year that saw the establishment of the Consortium DRM (with the partnership of Broadcasters and Telecom Companies) which developed the system whose specifications are set down in the ETSI ES 201 980 (Digital Radio Mondiale – System Specification) standard. It should be highlighted that this is an open, non-proprietary system and therefore does not require subscriptions but is completely free of charge.
In 2007 Rai Way launched an experimental DRM digital Medium Wave broadcasting service on the 693 kHz frequency, through the Mediumwave Transmitter located in Milano Siziano.
In January 2008, this transmission service was also extended to the station of Roma S. Palomba.
DRM, which is about to be experimented also in the FM wave spectrum under the acronym of DRM+, is not in competition with other digital radio (DAB+/DMB) broadcasting systems as it uses a different radio spectrum.
Consult The Radio Digital Glossary
Go to the list of FAQ’s
Digital Radio: network coverage and stations in operation
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