Country Information for DAB, DAB+ and DMB - Italy
| Current situation | Coverage | Services on Air | Details of Trials | Regulation | Links |
Country Update from Italy
10-06-2009
The emergence of DAB+ has also helped pave the way for DAB based services in the country. On July 25th 2007 Club DAB Italia launched the first DAB+ trials in Italy, broadcasting five audio channels. Vatican Radio also started a DAB trial in the Pope’s State. At the end of May 2008 a local DAB+/DMB digital radio multiplex was put on air in the Venetia region, which is the first step for a large roll out of digital radio in Italy. The Italian broadcasting industry has come together to work on technical tables to assist in the re-planning of the Italian digital radio regulation. These tables have been completed and a draft regulation has been presented to broadcasters for comments. The final regulation is expected soon and will pave the way to the awarding of licenses and frequency usage rights.
Latest News from Italy
Italy launches trial (03-10-2008)
Italy has launched four trial multiplexes, three in Band III and one in L-Band.
Read more...Current situation
in Italy
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Last update: 03-09-2008
- older versions
| Population: | 59.0 million |
Coverage: | |
| Services: | 73 DAB, 10 Data |
Italian broadcasters are currently running experimental trials of DAB, DAB+, DMB Audio and DMB Visual/Video services. This is with a view to verifying technical parameters and features. In March 2008, a new association was created for digital radio in Italy: ARD (pictured). This encompasses RaiWay (the public service broadcaster), Aeranti-Corallo (an association of local stations) and RNA (an association of national radio stations).
Radio operators in Italy have already confirmed that they want to use DMB for mobile TV due to the significantly lower network costs and the lack of frequency for DVB-H. It is expected that Eureka 147 digital radio, probably based on DAB+, will be rolled out throughout Italy by the end of 2008.
Previous trials include
- July 2007 - Club DAB Italia launched the first DAB+ trials in Italy, broadcasting five audio channels.
- June 2007 - Vatican Radio carried out a DAB trial in the Pope’s State.
- 2005 - RTL 102.5 became the first European radio station to broadcast using DMB technology.
Coverage
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Last update: 09-07-2008
- older versions
Coverage of the trial broadcasts is estimated to amount to about 75% of the Italian population (i.e. people in reach of DAB/DMB transmissions for outdoor coverage).
Services on Air
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Last update: 19-01-2008
In this country there are
- National multiplexes: 3 Trial
- Regional multiplexes: 8 Trial
| Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAB programmes | 21 | 52 | 73 |
| Data services | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 21 | 62 | 83 |
Details of Trials
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Last update: 03-09-2008
- older versions
In addition to the DAB/DAB+ trials noted above, there is currently a DMB trial taking place in Italy. The Ministry of Information Communication (MIC) from South Korea donated 100 receivers to RaiWay for this trial which will last for six months.
Regulation
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Last update: 02-09-2008
- older versions
The Italian Media Authority has approved official regulations for Eureka 147 digital radio, bringing an experimental phase to an end and paving the way for the creation of a successful digital radio market. Licences and authorisations will be issued initially to existing FM licence holders, with remaining spectrum available for new entrants. National and local multiplexes must carry at least five radio stations each, offering a wide choice of programmes and services. The licence period for content providers is 12 years and for network operators 20 years.
Useful Links Top
http://www.dab.ithttp://www.raiway.rai.it
http://www.ras.bz.it/de/tv_radio/dab.htm