DAB+ workshop at ABU DBS sees record attendance

From a press release to news@media.info
Posted 6 March 2017, 10.08pm est

Over 140 industry professionals from 20 different countries joined the DAB+ workshop at ABU DBS this year, discussing the progress of DAB+ in the region, hybrid radio, the business case for implementing DAB+ and the benefits of DAB+ in smartphones.

Titled “DAB+ expansion in Asia Pacific,” the WorldDAB workshop also featured three breakout sessions, during which delegates discussed key aspects of DAB+ rollout: regulation, technology and developing new content.

During breakout sessions, attendees discussed challenges including: spectrum management across borders, the impact of the self-driving car and the cost of delivering radio over mobile data.

“It’s great to be back in Kuala Lumpur and to see so many people from so many countries at the DAB+ workshop,” said Joan Warner, Asia Pacific Chair of WorldDAB and CEO of Commercial Radio Australia. “2017 looks set to be a landmark year for DAB+ and it’s clear that there is real interest from Asia Pacific in the new content and services that DAB+ offers. Our workshop today was the first part of a programme of activity and support for the region from WorldDAB, anyone interested in finding out more should get in touch with the project office.”

Australia leads the way for DAB+ in Asia Pacific, with 3.6 million listeners. Indonesia launched trial services in April 2016, DAB+ trials are taking place in Indonesia, New Zealand, Myanmar, and in Malaysia a trial local DAB+ multiplex is on air in Kuala Lumpur shared by public and commercial broadcasters. Trials are planned for Vietnam and Thailand.

The ABU DBS conference starts on March 7th and, for the first time, WorldDAB is hosting a DAB+ Pavilion in partnership with key supply-chain companies with a footprint in the region. The programme features several DAB+ sessions, including an update from Norway’s digital switchover, DAB+ in smartphones and new content being delivered via DAB+.