Digital License extended for Canberra

The DAB+ digital radio trial licences in Canberra has been extended for a further 12 months.

The scientific licences issued have been extended to allow for further coverage measurement, testing of local terrain impairments, receiver analysis, staff training and continued trials in different climatic conditions.

Canberran's are encouraged to buy a new Digital Radio during this extended trial period, and to give feedback on quality of service, reception and other comments to local DAB+ broadcasters.

Commercial Radio Australia chief executive, Joan Warner said: “The DAB+ trials in Canberra (and Darwin) are providing imperative information to regional broadcasters and assisting the radio industry to develop digital radio channel plans for all regional areas.”

Both regional trials have also provided valuable hands-on experience for regional radio staff in working with DAB+ equipment and functionality.

Ms Warner said: “Each regional radio licence area provides different digital radio transmission challenges.  The radio industry wants to ensure listeners outside of the five state metropolitan capitals will receive the same high level of digital radio services as those listeners living in the city.”

The DAB+ trial signal in Canberra is at a moderately low power but so far tests have indicated coverage has been able to extend to a large part of the Canberra area.  A boost was required to retransmit the trial signal into Parliament House.  This has provided additional testing opportunities for “in building” coverage in a challenging structure.

- official release [PDF]

DAB+ History in Canberra

• July 2010  -  Canberra DAB+ trial begins.
• March 2011 - DAB+ digital radio trial system switched on in Parliament House.
• August 2011 - DAB+ trial license extended