Gov Continues Digital Radio Investment

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has extended DAB+ Digital radio trial licences in Canberra and Darwin for 12 more months.This is the second time the licence has been renewed, following its issue in 2010 and the first extension granted in 2011. The extra 12 months will buy extra field testing and continued coverage modelling to be used for DAB+ rollout in other regional areas.

Commercial Radio Australia chief executive, Joan Warner said: “The DAB+ trials in Canberra and Darwin have been led by Commercial Radio Australia with staff from the Australian Communications and Media Authority working closely and co-operatively for the ongoing development and improvement of the DAB+ technology. In Canberra, commercial broadcasters are also working closely with the public sector broadcasters.”

Today more than one million listeners subscribe to the infant 3-year-old technology, and as it becomes a standard in cars and trucks, that number is destined to grow.