Italy - Current situation - History
09.03.2011
After several years of test and trials, digital radio development in Italy is now happening very fast. The standard adopted for the receivers in Italy (clarified by ARD association Associazione per la Radiofonia Digitale in Italia) as mandatory is : FM RDS; DAB+ DMB-R band L & band III.
Late in 2009, the Council for the Authority of Communications approved regulation setting out steps for the future roll out of digital radio across Italy. Broadcasters can opt for either DAB, DAB+ or DMB and the regulation allows for the migration of services from analogue to digital. It provides clear regulation on coverage, networks for national services, spectrum allocation for services, local coverage and rules on simulcasting and new content.
There will be one national network for the public broadcaster, RAI, and two national networks for commercial radio. Space will be available for local radio stations and the network operator will be given additional capacity to provide data services.
Around 75% of Italy's population can currently receive digital radio broadcasts via several trial multiplexes currently on air. A joint project between the commercial and public radio stations Club DAB Italia, EuroDAB and Raiway plans the launch of pilot services covering Rome, Torino, Naples and Cagliari in late 2010. The project will be extended to cover 50% of the population by 2012 following the switch off of analogue TV and focus on major urban areas and motorways.
There are currently 13 multiplexes on air in Italy with a mix of national and regional coverage. Between them, they deliver more than 100 services, with around half being digital only.
20.08.2010
After several years of test and trials, digital radio development in Italy is now happening very fast. Late in 2009, the Council for the Authority of Communications approved regulation setting out steps for the future roll out of digital radio across Italy. Broadcasters can opt for either DAB, DAB+ or DMB and the regulation allows for the migration of services from analogue to digital. It provides clear regulation on coverage, networks for national services, spectrum allocation for services, local coverage and rules on simulcasting and new content.
There will be one national network for the public broadcaster, RAI, and two national networks for commercial radio. Space will be available for local radio stations and the network operator will be given additional capacity to provide data services.
Around 75% of Italy's population can currently receive digital radio broadcasts via several trial multiplexes currently on air. A joint project between the commercial and public radio stations Club DAB Italia, EuroDAB and Raiway plans the launch of pilot services covering Rome, Torino, Naples and Cagliari in late 2010. The project will be extended to cover 50% of the population by 2012 following the switch off of analogue TV and focus on major urban areas and motorways.
There are currently 13 multiplexes on air in Italy with a mix of national and regional coverage. Between them, they deliver more than 100 services, with around half being digital only.
03.09.2008
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.