World digital radio meeting to be held in Sydney

Australia will play host to world experts on digital radio from 12 countries. The technical committee of the WorldDMB Forum, a global trade body coordinating the introduction of digital radio worldwide, will meet in Sydney on 30 November.

The WorldDMB Forum is a non-governmental organisation based in London that aims to coordinate the implementation of digital radio based on the Eureka 147 DAB system. It represents public and private broadcasters, network and transmission providers and radio manufacturers from 40 countries.

It is the first time a WorldDMB meeting has been held in Australia, with representatives here to discuss technical issues and ways to future-proof the technology through extending into value-added data services, multimedia and interactive radio services.

Lindsay Cornell, the chair of the WorldDMB Technical Committee, said there was a great deal of international interest in Australia’s plans to introduce digital radio in 2009.

“DAB+ allows more content options, both high quality audio and new multimedia services, which offer significant enhancements for consumers in the digital age.“

Broadcaster representatives from Commercial Radio Australia, the ABC and SBS sit on the technical committee, which brings together broadcasters, network and multiplex providers and receiver manufacturers to ensure international cooperation.