Population:	59.0 million
Coverage:	75%
Services:	73 DAB, 10 Data

Last update: 19-01-2008

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 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).

In this country there are

• National multiplexes: 3 Trial
• Regional multiplexes: 8 Trial

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.

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.