ABU DBS 2026
Date: 30th March - 2nd April 2026
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Types: Conference, Exhibition
WorldDAB at ABU DBS 2026
WorldDAB is delighted to confirm our involvement at ABU DBS 2026 as a Major Sponsor of this important industry event. As long‑standing supporters of digital radio development across the region, we are pleased to once again play an active role in the conference programme and exhibition.
Throughout the event, delegates are invited to visit the WorldDAB exhibition booths (No. 10 & 11) to meet the team.
As part of the conference agenda, WorldDAB will be hosting a dedicated DAB+ session on Day 2, 1 April, from 15:30 to 16:30. The session, chaired by Dr. Les Sabel, Chair, WorldDAB APAC Technical Group, will provide insights into the ongoing growth of DAB+.
In addition, WorldDAB will be contributing to the wider conference discussions through its participation in Session 4 and Session 10.
We look forward to meeting with industry colleagues throughout ABU DBS 2026 and contributing to the continued advancement of digital audio broadcasting worldwide.
More details to follow in due course.
Co-exhibitiors
About ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2026
Held annually in Kuala Lumpur, the symposium features a conference, exhibition, masterclasses, and workshops, attracting around 1,500 participants from more than 350 organisations across the region and beyond.
DBS 2026, through its conference sessions, panel discussions, focused workshops, and masterclasses led by renowned global experts, will explore the challenges and solutions surrounding digital transformation, technology implementation, creative content development, and enhanced audience experiences.
With an ever-expanding range of technologies entering the market, broadcasters are presented with exciting new opportunities. DBS serves as a platform to showcase these innovations and support broadcasters in making informed decisions.
ITEL Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni
ITEL Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni is a company specializing in audio processing and headend systems for the radio and television telecommunications market.
Based in Perugia, Italy, ITEL designs and manufactures all of its products locally.
Founded in 2007, ITEL quickly gained a strong reputation in the Italian market for the quality and innovation of its products. It was the first company to implement the recoding of alternative frequencies in RDS systems for FM radio and the first globally to integrate audio processing systems within DAB+ headend technology. Today, ITEL’s distribution network spans over 100 countries, and the company collaborates with major government organizations worldwide to advance DAB+ radio development.
Paneda
Paneda offers innovative and cost-effective DAB solutions: safety systems, broadcast networks and broadcast systems. Nearly 200 tunnels in Norway are equipped with Paneda systems. Many local and public European broadcasters are using Paneda DAB Head-End systems with a complete range of products including multiplexing, audio encoders, data insertion and content management.
RadioDNS is the international not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes hybrid radio, the seamless combination of broadcast radio technologies and IP connectivity. The organisation creates open technical standards that enable interoperability between content providers and devices, and we liaise with all parts of the radio and consumer electronics ecosystems to develop new functionality that can be delivered alongside broadcast radio using IP. We also provide support for developers wanting to create new solutions around hybrid radio, and to test platforms and devices.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Session moderator
Dr Les Sabel
S-Comm Technologies (Chair, WorldDAB APAC Technical Group)
Dr Sabel has over 30 years of experience in communications systems, including broadcast digital radio (DAB/DAB+ and DRM), mobile communications, wireless broadband, and satellite communications. A technical expert on DAB+, he provides independent engineering consultancy to WorldDAB, the ITU and broadcasters, regulators, network operators and equipment suppliers in Australia, Southeast Asia and around the globe. The Asia-Pacific Technical Group meets 2-3 times a year and gives guidance on the technical aspects of implementing DAB+ digital radio, with help and advice that is tailored specifically to the needs of the APAC region.
C
Lindsay Cornell
Chair, WorldDAB Technical Committee, and Principal Systems Architect, BBC Digital
Lindsay Cornell has worked for the BBC for more than 30 years, in a variety of engineering, editorial and leadership roles spanning radio, TV, and spectrum regulation. He has considerable experience in leading collaborative projects through his roles as Chairman of CEPT FM PT51, dealing with spectrum issues for programme-making, and as Chairman of the WorldDAB Technical Committees, managing the stability and development of the respective standards.
H
Oscar Hu
APAC Sales Manager, GatesAir
Oscar Hu joined GatesAir’s APAC team in 2020 as Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Asia. Hu’s focus is on raising GatesAir’s visibility and market share across most of Southeast Asia (and parts of East Asia and Pacific Island), including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Hu’s background of almost 20 years in the over-the-air broadcast industry, where he has been active in most of the advanced DVB and ATSC digital transmission standards development. Prior to GatesAir he was Sales Manager for many other European Broadcast Manufactures transmitter companies.
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Lars-Peder Lundgren
CEO, Paneda, Sweden
Lars-Peder Lundgren has been involved in DAB from the beginning, with 25 years in the DAB business. He brings wide experience across several technical business areas including telecoms, radio communications and broadcasting. He joined Paneda as Sales Director in 2014 and has been CEO since 2020. Prior to joining Paneda, he oversaw international technical sales at Factum Electronics. Paneda develops and sells DAB related technology, including DAB head-end systems with multiplexers and audio encoders, road tunnel break-in system and related DAB systems.
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Bernie O’Neill
Project Director, WorldDAB
An experienced people connector within the digital radio industry, Bernie has headed WorldDAB since 2011, with overall responsibility for the direction and management of WorldDAB activities. Together with her team and the global network of WorldDAB members she works to further the adoption and implementation of DAB+, the digital successor of FM radio. With a background in leadership of international trade associations for over 25 years, her career expands over several industries including radio, ICT, water and education. She is an expert at driving business development, delivering value to stakeholders, strategically aligning teams, and developing effective marketing communications. Trained in international business, she has held postings in London, Brussels, and The Hague.
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Fabio Placidi
Technical Sales Manager, ITEL
Fabio Placidi studied electronics and telecommunications at the University of Perugia. Together with the MEDIADAB consortium, it is currently involved in the development of new technologies related to DAB+. From 2003 to 2017 he was mainly involved in the design of transmitters for FM, TV and DAB. During this period, he also worked on medical, industrial and military electronic applications. Since 2017 he has been involved in the development of DAB+ in various countries.
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Anupon Tajawanno
Asia regional sale manager, Paneda (ASIA)
Anupon Tajawanno joined Paneda in 2017. Anupon has worked extensively in area of telecommunication and broadcasting. Anupon’s prior role at Cisco Systems (Thailand) was to head business development of telecommunication and broadcast service providers. Anupon start his career in Hong Kong in 1999 and his role expanded across Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. In 2007, he was assigned as a business development manager role for Cisco Systems in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where the company headquarter for the Middle East and Africa was based. Anupon returned to Singapore in 2011 to be responsible to business development in South East Asia and then relocated to Thailand for the same company. Anupon is currently responsible for Paneda Tech AB business in Asia based in Bangkok, Thailand. PanedaTech AB is a member of WorldDAB and a global leading partners in DAB+ digital radio broadcast technologies
Anupon is a graduate of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT (B. Eng Communications Engineering) with Honours in Melbourne, Australia.
01.04.2026
02.04.2026
| April 1st, 15:30-16:30 UTC / 23:30-00:30 +08 | |
| 15:30 - 16:30 |
From FM to DAB+: key considerations in getting it right first time
As broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific region plan new DAB+ deployments or expand existing networks, the transition from FM is no longer a theoretical exercise - it is an operational challenge with long-term consequences. This workshop will share best practice and lessons learned from established DAB+ markets, helping broadcasters plan and deliver DAB+ rollouts in the most cost-effective way. Moderator: Dr. Les Sabel, Chair, WorldDAB APAC Technical Group |
| 15:30 - 15:40 |
DAB+ global expansion
An overview of the most significant developments related to DAB+ global rollout and how WorldDAB can help. - MENA Speaker: Bernie O’Neill, Project Director, WorldDAB |
| 15:40 - 15:50 |
DAB+ developments – Asia Pacific
Latest developments with DAB+ in APAC region and next steps from planning to launching DAB+. Speakers: Dr. Les Sabel, Chair, WorldDAB APAC Technical Group and Anupon Tajawanno, Asia Regional Sales Manager, Paneda |
| 15:50 - 16:00 |
Key DAB+ technical developments
A report on recent DAB+ technical developments, including standards updates, Emergency Warning System progress, new task forces, and interoperability work shaping the next phase of global DAB+ deployment. Speaker: Lindsay Cornell, Chair, WorldDAB Technical Committee, Principal Systems Architect, BBC Digital |
| 16:00 - 16:10 |
Economics of DAB+” / 5G Broadcast: A comparison with DAB+
Why DAB+ is the most cost-effective digital broadcast radio medium. Speaker: Dr. Les Sabel, Chair, WorldDAB APAC Technical Group |
| 16:10 - 16:25 |
Designing DAB+ networks for efficiency and resilience
Drawing on experience from live DAB+ networks this panel explores the design choices that matter most for cost efficiency, energy consumption, and service reliability. The discussion will highlight what to prioritise from day one to avoid costly redesigns later, with actionable lessons for technical leaders responsible for building resilient, future-proof DAB+ broadcast infrastructure. Panel: |
| 16:25 - 16:30 | Q&A |