United Arab Emirates - Current situation - History

21.09.2020

The Cabinet resolution of the UAE Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/T-DAB+ is available in Arabic on the ESMA website.

 The resolution states the following:

 Article (1)

 The approved standard No. UAE.S 5021:2018, titled “The UAE Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications AM/FM/T-DAB+”, is a mandatory standard for implementation in the UAE.

 Article (2)

 The provisions of this resolution shall be applied as follows:

1. The standard applies to all other household and portable receivers from the date of 1 January 2020.

2. The standard applies to vehicles that are supplied to the country starting from the 2020 models with a percentage of no less than 50% of the vehicles, and it applies to all vehicles starting from the models of 2024 by 100%.

 

In April 2018, the Emirates Authority For Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) published the standard specifications for AM/FM/DAB+ radio receivers.

 

 

24.10.2018

TRA (Telecoms Regulation Authority) is working in partnership with other stakeholders to select a DAB+ operator.

In April 2018, the Emirates Authority For Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) published the standard specifications for AM/FM/DAB+ radio receivers, available at http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Purchase-Standards.aspx.

Following a trial, the TRA is working towards a commercial launch of DAB+ in 2018.

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates is working to introduce a DAB+ based commercial digital radio multiplex in the UAE and to improve the overall radio listening experience as soon as possible. As part of these efforts the TRA prepared receiver specifications to cover all radio receivers including AM/FM/DAB+. The draft of these specifications was circulated to the industry and other stakeholders for consultation.

During the trial, four DAB+ channels were broadcast across Abu Dhabi as part of the trials GatesAir ran with Abu Dhabi Media. The official start date for the DAB+ Trial in Abu Dhabi was 1st July 2015. The trial period was for 90 days to start then it was expected to be extended. As per the TRA Regulations, the trial could be a maximum of 180 days. The trial covered the entire population of Abu Dhabi, 1.8 million people.

Two Broadcasting Operators of the United Arab Emirates, Arabian Radio Network Dubai and UAE Radio & TV Ajman successfully completed test / trials for T-DAB+ technology in cities of Dubai and Ajman during March 2014 - February 2015. The main purpose was to test the technology for coverage and reception quality. 

05.09.2018

In April 2018, the Emirates Authority For Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) published the standard specifications for AM/FM/DAB+ radio receivers, available at http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Purchase-Standards.aspx.

Following a trial, the TRA (Telecoms Regulation Authority) is working towards a commercial launch of DAB+ in 2018.

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates is working to introduce a DAB+ based commercial digital radio multiplex in the UAE and to improve the overall radio listening experience as soon as possible. As part of these efforts the TRA prepared receiver specifications to cover all radio receivers including AM/FM/DAB+. The draft of these specifications was circulated to the industry and other stakeholders for consultation.

During the trial, four DAB+ channels were broadcast across Abu Dhabi as part of the trials GatesAir ran with Abu Dhabi Media. The official start date for the DAB+ Trial in Abu Dhabi was 1st July 2015. The trial period was for 90 days to start then it was expected to be extended. As per the TRA Regulations, the trial could be a maximum of 180 days. The trial covered the entire population of Abu Dhabi, 1.8 million people.

Two Broadcasting Operators of the United Arab Emirates, Arabian Radio Network Dubai and UAE Radio & TV Ajman successfully completed test / trials for T-DAB+ technology in cities of Dubai and Ajman during March 2014 - February 2015. The main purpose was to test the technology for coverage and reception quality.