The future that doesn't want to be one

Digital radio With DAB, the
digital future of radio to have a technology and a name.
Now things are different. Some translate DAB as "dead and buried"
- Dead and buried. Once again, "DAB digital radio"
and "breakthrough" are often mentioned in the same breath. Since
At the beginning of the year, optimistic assessments of the
Prospects for the success of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting). In particular
SRG is confident. Since 1999, the
Switzerland has a digital transmitter network in operation. Around sixty percent of the
of the country's population are covered by DAB - and the trend is increasing.
The future of radio is a reality in the Mittelland. But so far you can hear
only SRG programs. According to optimistic estimates, the
only a few thousand devices for receiving digital radio in the whole of Switzerland.
in use. Buying a new radio receiver just because it has the
technology that will one day replace FM, it is recommended that
hardly at present. In addition to the limited choice of channels, the
poor reception inside the building against DAB.

Silver lining on the horizon
Now there seems to be some movement in the matter. SRG,
Radio marketer Radiotele and Tamedia reached an agreement on June 16.
"Letter of Intent" on how they will tackle the dormant
technology. Furthermore, in additional regions
the network for the first digital transmitter chain. Further interviewed
all relevant players in the Swiss radio market
according to their wishes and needs in connection with the further
Expansion of the DAB network. The Biel authority plans to present the results shortly.
present. As soon as this silver lining appears on the horizon
new trouble looms. DAB is no longer alone. Numerous
Other technologies are in the starting blocks. Individual European
Broadcasters have already said goodbye to DAB. For example
the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg. "DAB is still only a medium
for audiophile specialists", is the scathing verdict from
Potsdam. Instead, they are now relying on a technology that is
digital television has been developed. In Finland, the
partners involved decided last February to continue the
DAB transmission.
"FM radio will one day not be dominated by a single digital standard.
because every technology has its strengths and weaknesses",
predicts Marcel Regnotto, Head of Section at Bakom. Nevertheless
SRG continues to rely on first-generation digital radio. But
The company is now hoping for the (financial) commitment of partners from the
private media world. "If only our programs were distributed digitally
DAB has no chance in Switzerland," says Marc Savary,
Radio Coordinator at SRG. Accordingly, nothing works if the
private radio stations are also on board. The recently awarded "Letter of
Intent" initiated a loose partnership with the Zurich-based
Media house Tamedia signaled where Savary and his people
Identifying (market) potential for DAB success. Andreas Meili, as Head of
responsible for electronic media in the Group Management Board of Tamedia
for the operation of Radio 24, sees the language-regional broadcasting
of his channel a "conceivable scenario". Pushed to the edge
The smaller, regionally oriented private radio stations see themselves in this position. Because the
Bakom's roadmap for the next expansion step is to establish the
regional radio stations, some private radio stations are now even calling for
a ban on advertising for Radio 24, Basilisk & Co. should these
will one day be heard digitally throughout German-speaking Switzerland.

Sunshine goes its own way
But the criticism of DAB from private broadcasters does not stop there.
Individuals are putting their money where their mouth is. Markus Ruoss, founder and
majority shareholder of Radio Sunshine, is testing with his station in the
HD radio for the next two years. The standard registered in the USA
technology uses the existing FM frequency and supplements it with
additional digital services. Bakom is also showing interest in the
Trial operation in central Switzerland. "We see this development
no contradiction to the previous digital radio strategy, after all
we have approved the Sunshine trial," says the
Bakom.
The variety also brings advantages for the consumer, says Marcel
Regnotto: Depending on your life situation and (media) consumption needs, the
The right device is ready and delivers the desired content,
whether on the road or at home. What prevails can become the
cannot be said at the present time. "On the one hand, all newer
technical standards are undergoing further development," knows
Regnotto. On the other hand, Switzerland's size and the
geographical location is heavily dependent on international agreements.
For this reason, all stakeholders are hoping that next May's conference in Geneva
international frequency planning conference RRC 06
Decisions that are in line with their strategies.

Nick Lüthi