Digital audio broadcasting strategy explained

The Malta Communications Authority in conjunction with the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications yesterday published a document on the policy and implementation strategy for terrestrial digital audio broadcasting - T-DAB.

The policy and implementation strategy for T-DAB reflects the government's policy direction with respect to the granting of access to scarce radio spectrum for T-DAB networks and services. It also describes the process that the MCA intends to adopt for the assignment of the available T-DAB frequencies to interested parties.

The authority said that the main benefits associated with digital radio are primarily more programme channels (about six per frequency block) as a result of a more efficient use of spectrum, better digital sound quality - DAB has the potential to provide CD quality sound, is less susceptible to interference and is capable of providing a higher quality of mobile reception and the potential to provide data services.

Given that T-DAB does not utilise the same frequency spectrum as FM, the two modes of radio broadcasting can operate side by side. An FM turn-off date is therefore not necessary for the foreseeable future, the MCA added.

T-DAB necessitates dedicated receiving sets. However, the existence of hybrid receiving sets capable of receiving both analogue and digital transmissions constitutes another factor that makes the co-existence of analogue and digital radio transmissions, over an appreciable timeframe, a practical proposition.

Due consideration is being given to the wider contextual environment posed by the forthcoming Regional Radio Communication Conference, which will establish a final position with respect to national broadcasting frequency allotments and assignments for the forthcoming years.

The purpose of this conference is to establish a terrestrial digital broadcasting plan for countries within Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The policy and implementation strategy for Terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcasting can be viewed at www.mcmp.gov.mt or www.mca.org.mt.