DAB+ allows approximately 20 audio services to be broadcast within a single Eureka 147 transmission *** Did you know that analogue listening has been losing market share over the last 10 years, while all digital platforms are on the rise? *** Did you know that in countries where DAB/DAB+ is fully established, it is the fastest growing of all digital platforms? *** DAB is now being made available across the range of the Automotive market, from VW campers to top of the range Audis *** DAB Slide show pictures enables advertisers to couple pictures with audio magnifying consumer brand awareness *** More than 45 different combined DAB/DAB+ receiver models commercially available *** Sub €30 DAB radios are available to all via web sites such as Amazon ***

Country Information for DAB, DAB+ and DMB - Germany

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Icon_country Country Update from Germany

10-06-2009

DAB in Germany covers nearly 85% of the country with over 180 different radio stations available. Furthermore, the public broadcasters (ARD and Deutschlandradio) have planned a restart of Digital Radio in mid 2010. Currently the KEF, the financial commission to review the budget of public broadcasters, is evaluating the project plan. The market is currently waiting for final confirmation of funding. The German Commission of broadcasting policies (Rundfunkkommission), already approved a nationwide multiplex, which is able to transmit between 10 and 15 radio programmes. The BNetzA, the frequency authority of Germany, is in the process of assigning frequencies and choosing the network operator for the planned large single frequency network. The national digital channels will be supplemented by two or three multiplexes in each of the 16 regions to provide regional and local radio from public service ARD stations and private broadcasters. Like Deutschlandradio, the ARD stations will broadcast one additional digital only service to add to their five existing programmes in each region. Between 30 and 40 digital radio stations will become available in every region of Germany, offering a mix of local and nationwide, private and public radio stations. It is planned that by 2012 most of the German population will have access to the services.

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Current situation in Germany Top
Last update: 30-03-2009 - older versions

Population:83.0 million
Coverage:
Sparkline Graph 82%
Services:129 DAB, 5 DAB+, 9 Data
Sales (accumulated):546,000 devices
Last update: 16-01-2009
Germany is among the leading European proponents of DAB Digital Radio, with local and regional networks. It was the first European country to launch a commercial DMB service (for the 2006 FIFA World Cup), and is now planning a nationwide digital radio re-launch and marketing campaign for 2009/2010. Today, Germany is anticipating further market developments thanks to the outcome of the Regional Radio Conference 2006 (RRC '06). Subject to the final decision by the relevant political institutions, it may be possible to install further multiplexes and increase transmitter powers to achieve more efficient and reliable coverage. In Bavaria there is already a agreement between the relevant parties (Federal Ministry of Defence, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Federal Network Agency, public broadcaster in Bavaria Bayerischer Rundfunk, networkoperator Bayern Digital Radio) regarding optimising "portable indoor"-reception. The first step was completed in 2008 by enhancing the transmission power in the cities of Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg and Würzburg up to 10 kW. In 2009 the next steps will follow. Many German car manufacturers (including Audi, BMW, Mini, VW and Opel) already offer DAB receivers as line-fit, as it is the preferred platform through which to offer state-of-the-art telematic services.

Coverage Top
Last update: 02-09-2008 - older versions

Coverage for DAB radio services in Germany amounts to about 82% of the population. 

DAB coverage map for Germany

Services on Air Top
Last update: 30-03-2009 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

There are now more than 120 radio stations in Germany (both public and commercial) and nearly 80 types of stations. There are up to 15 stations per site, split into a variety of regional and local multiplexes. Most are simulcasts of FM stations, but there are an increasing number of DAB-only channels. Rock Antenne, a commercial station in Bavaria, (pictured) has recently started broadcasting DAB surround sound. Data services broadcasting news and travel information are also available in many areas.
Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB programmes 75 54 129
DAB+ programmes 4 1 5
Data services 2 7 9
Total8162143

Receiver Market Top
Last update: 30-03-2009 - older versions

There has been no official market research on the number of DAB/DMB receivers sold, but a study by ZEM/Universitat Bonn carried out in 2007 estimated that 546,000 receivers have been sold in Germany to date. There are more than 1,000 DAB retailers in Germany listed by the www.digitalradio.de website. Users can search by postal code, map or name of retailer. There is also a list of online traders.

Details of Trials Top
Last update: 02-09-2008 - older versions

European DMB Project MI FRIENDSThe European DMB-project MI FRIENDS, ‘Mobile Interactive Television, Radio, Interactivity, Entertainment and New Digital Services’, was launched by the Bayerische Landeszentrale für Neue Medien (BLM) as a pilot project based on article 30 of the Bavarian Law of Media (BayMG). This project is attempting to realise ‘anywhere-anytime-anyway’ and its goal is to enable mobile and interactive usage of already existing as well as new media applications in receivers. The project is also aimed at gaining experience relating to new (interactive) technologies, business models and user requirements to support the commercial launch in Germany. MI FRIENDS uses ‘ready for market’ receivers, which are to be developed further. This project is currently using Band III (South Tyrol also L-band) frequencies. The latest subproject, in Lake Constance on the border of Germany, Austria & Switzerland, is designed to be a “mixed mux approach” broadcasting DAB/DMB & DAB+ on the same ensemble. This multi-standard trial allows services to be broadcast on all of today’s digital multimedia standards DAB, DMB, DVB-H, TPEG and GPRS/UMTS on a single device.

Regulation Top
Last update: 30-03-2009 - older versions

Germany has a two-tier government, federal and state, which is reflected in the country’s broadcasting legislation. The federal government issues telecommunications licences to network operators and regulates frequency and spectrum issues. Broadcast programme providers are regulated by the states, each of which has its own regulatory framework. The federal government assigns frequencies, but content distribution is licensed by State Media Authorities. Network operators are granted frequency allocation for 15 years and state licences run for between four and eight years and holders must promote DAB digital radio. It is a requirement that within three years of a licence being issued there is 80% population coverage. There are also no defined rules relating to data capacity use, up to 20% multiplex capacity is normal. Analogue switch off is targeted for after 2015.

Useful Links Top

http://www.digitalradio.de
http://www.dr-m.info
http://www.mi-friends.org