Belgium - Current situation - History

25.09.2013

French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)

The Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française de Belgique (RTBF) is the public broadcaster for the Belgian French speaking community. Since 1998, RTBF has operated one DAB multiplex simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radio stations, covering of Brussels and Wallonia. On this multiplex, RTBF is also testing four DAB+ audio and data channels (indifferent bit rates and with slideshows) for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the private broadcasters, subject to approval from the French Community Government and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA). In Spring 2011 a common vision of the main broadcasters, both private and public, was defined with a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio (DAB+ broadcast; hybrid radio; single online radio player and radio on TV). In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio from 2011 onwards.

The CSA (regulator) launched a public consultation about digital radio in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback. In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June 2012 the Government authorized RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licensed by the CSA.

The next step is to achieve a public funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technical DAB+ rollout, upgrade of the RTBF DAB network to DAB+ to ensure deep indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for a potential public launch in 2015 (to mark the 101st anniversary of the first radio broadcasting in Belgium). RTBF is testing Radio DNS interactive slideshows on its DAB+ channels.

Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)

“De Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep” (VRT), is the public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community. VRT has one DAB multiplex in operation with nine radio stations including four DAB only brand extensions. The stations on air include Nieuws+ (news), Sporza (sport), Klara Continuo (classic music) and MNM Hits (Top 40). Norkring, which operates VRT’s multiplex, also has a license for another multiplex and is currently examining the possibility of a DAB+ roll out. In February 2013 Norkring launched a “call for interest” for a DAB+ roll-out in the Northern part of Belgium. Based on the results of this call, Norkring has now launched a second call to include a progressive deployment, with the Brussels DAB+ roll-out in the first phase. Norkring is waiting for the answers of this second call, planned in Autumn 2013.

Country wide

As VRT and RTBF’s multiplex covers the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content. Their first client so far is Toyota Belgium.

08.03.2013

French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)

The Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française deBelgique (RTBF) is the public broadcaster for the Belgian Frenchspeaking community. Since 1998, RTBF has operated one DABmultiplex simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radiostations, covering of Brussels and Wallonia. On this multiplex, RTBF is also testing four DAB+ audio and data channels (indifferent bit rates and with slideshows) for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the privatebroadcasters, subject to approval from the French CommunityGovernment and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur del’Audiovisuel (CSA).In Spring 2011 a common vision of the main broadcasters,both private and public, was defined with a four-tier strategyfor migration from analogue to digital radio (DAB+ broadcast;hybrid radio; single online radioplayer and radio on TV). Insummer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Communityadopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speakingGovernment to support the migration to digital radio from 2011onwards.

The CSA (regulator) launched a public consultationabout digital radio in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback.In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June2012 the Government authorised RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licensedby the CSA.

The next step is to achieve a public funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technicalDAB+ rollout, upgrade of the RTBF DAB network to DAB+ toensure deep indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for apotential public launch in 2014 (to mark the 100th anniversaryof the first radio broadcasting in Belgium. RTBF is testing RadioDNS interactive slideshows associated onits DAB+ channels.

Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)

Norkring, which operates VRT’s multiplex, also has a licence foranother multiplex and is currently examining the possibility of aDAB+ roll out.

Country wide

As VRT and RTBF’s multiplex covers the whole country’s mainroad networks, since 2012 they have been broadcastingdata traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, acompany specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content. Their first client so far is Toyota Belgium.

29.01.2013

French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)

The Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française deBelgique (RTBF) is the public broadcaster for the Belgian Frenchspeaking community. Since 1998, RTBF has operated one DABmultiplex simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF(the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radiostations, covering of Brussels and Wallonia. On this multiplex,RTBF is also testing four DAB+ audio and data channels (indifferent bit rates and with slideshows) for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the privatebroadcasters, subject to approval from the French CommunityGovernment and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur del’Audiovisuel (CSA).In Spring 2011 a common vision of the main broadcasters,both private and public, was defined with a four-tier strategyfor migration from analogue to digital radio (DAB+ broadcast;hybrid radio; single online radioplayer and radio on TV). Insummer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Communityadopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speakingGovernment to support the migration to digital radio from 2011onwards.

The CSA (regulator) launched a public consultationabout digital radio in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback.In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June2012 the Government authorised RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licensedby the CSA.

The next step is to achieve a public funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technicalDAB+ rollout, upgrade of the RTBF DAB network to DAB+ toensure deep indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for apotential public launch in 2014 (to mark the 100th anniversaryof the first radio broadcasting in Belgium. RTBF is testing RadioDNS interactive slideshows associated onits DAB+ channels.

Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)

Norkring, which operates VRT’s multiplex, also has a licence foranother multiplex and is currently examining the possibility of aDAB+ roll out.

Country wide

As VRT and RTBF’s multiplex covers the whole country’s mainroad networks, since 2012 they have been broadcastingdata traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, acompany specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content. Their first client so far is Toyota Belgium.