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From the summer, digital radios that support the new Automatic Safety Alert disaster warning technology will go on sale. They will be recognisable by the ASA logo. The technology is based on the digital radio standard DAB+ and is intended to bring official hazard warnings to digital radio receivers, similar to how warning apps and cell broadcasting already do this on current smartphones. The advantage of the additional channel for hazard warnings: DAB+ broadcasting can still function where mobile radio has failed. Switched-off ASA-compatible radios are woken from standby. And local warning messages can also be played out specifically in the affected region.

The widespread blackout in Spain and other European countries has highlighted the importance of broadcasting as a critical infrastructure. 28 April 2025 will be remembered as the day on which the Iberian peninsula experienced one of the largest power blackouts in its recent history. Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of southern France suffered a collapse in electricity supply that paralysed critical infrastructures, directly affecting the daily lives of millions of citizens. For hours, a large part of the population was cut off: digital services and fixed and mobile telephone networks stopped working in a large part of the territory. In this context of uncertainty, a traditional medium once again demonstrated its strength: radio.

In the aftermath of the power outage in Spain and Portugal, radio futurologist James Cridland spoke to Radio 4's PM programme about the medium's importance in an emergency. "Of course, most radio is on DAB now and that means you need to find a wind-up DAB radio," he says. "Radio has always made sure that it is an emergency service... the radio is the one thing that you can pretty well guarantee will work because it's not reliant on cellphone connections and wires."

A vital worldwide product certification scheme for the innovative new DAB+ Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) system has launched, with WorldDAB appointing DTG Testing as the authorised global partner to provide testing and certification. The new scheme ensures that products with the ASA logo have passed the certification process, comply with minimum requirements according to ETSI TS 104 090, and are recognised as an ASA-compliant product. DTG Testing will issue the ASA Certification Mark Approved Product Licence. The DAB+ ASA logo on certified device packaging builds trust in the technology. Once the certification process has been completed, WorldDAB offers a logo and style guide for free, as part of a new marketing toolbox.

WorldDAB had a busy week at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium (DBS) 2025, in Klang, Kuala Lumpur. Held every year, the DBS is the premier event that provides a platform for broadcasters and industry leaders in the region to discuss key advancements, challenges, and innovations shaping the broadcast and media landscape. This year’s event had a significant focus on AI in broadcasting and media production, alongside the latest DAB+ developments. WorldDAB Project Director, Bernie O'Neill, looks back at WorldDAB's activities, presentations, and key findings during the event.

A first look at the life-saving Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) system on DAB+ will be available to delegates at this year’s Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Digital Broadcasting Symposium (DBS), held from 24 - 27 February in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event is the premier technical symposium in the APAC region focussing on the broadcasting industry. WorldDAB — the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio — is again a major sponsor of ABU DBS, presenting an expert DAB+ workshop and hosting a DAB+ Pavilion at the conference exhibition. The Pavilion features several major solution providers: Aldena, AVT Audio Visual Technologies, Paneda, and RadioDNS. WorldDAB member Digidia is also exhibiting at ABU DBS.

WorldDAB's work on the development of Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) for DAB+ has been recognised at the Grand Prix of the Paris Radio Show. The ASA system was nominated in the ‘Best Technical Innovation’ category, which recognises new concepts, emerging technologies and innovative solutions. Three key features differentiate this DAB+ emergency alert system from all other existing solutions. Firstly, geographical targeting (only people in the relevant areas receive the notification). Secondly, inter-set signalling (receivers analyse references to alert announcements on other radio stations, increasing the flexibility and range of alerts). Finally, wake-up mode (receivers can be activated by the DAB+ signal, a particularly useful function for clock radios).

WorldDAB’s work to develop Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) for DAB+ has been recognised by Paris Radio Show Grand Prix Awards. WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill said: “This new feature will help broadcasters and regulators to position broadcast radio as an asset in emergency situations given it is a robust and hack-resistant technology - while meeting the objectives of cultural diversity. This helps justify the required investment in the technology.”

Frontier is delighted to announce that our DAB+ receiver solutions have passed the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) certification, marking a key milestone to launching the safety system in 2025. ASA is a new standard for safety that builds on top of the DAB+ standard and allows life-saving messages to be reliably broadcast to users. Germany is planning to be the first country to start DAB+ ASA broadcasting in 2025. Combined with Digital Tick, the ASA certification ensures that DAB+ receivers are fully compliant with the broadcast standard and provides comfort that receivers will respond correctly and in a timely manner to emergency broadcasts. Combined with Digital Tick, the ASA certification ensures that DAB+ receivers are fully compliant with the broadcast standard and provides comfort that receivers will respond correctly and in a timely manner to emergency broadcasts. Prem Rajalingham, Managing Director at Frontier said “this is an important milestone in the global rollout of ASA . Brands can now create DAB receivers that support the standard and can pass the tests knowing that the core technology has been approved”.

British chip manufacturer Frontier Smart Technologies presented a prototype of the next generation of DAB+ digital radios at IFA 2024. These devices are equipped with the new ‘Automatic Safety Alert’ (ASA) standard, which reliably warns the public in emergencies and crises. ASA transmits life-saving safety messages directly via the radio without the need for an internet connection. Typical alerts include severe weather warnings, evacuation requests or information on power outages. Thomas Pöcheim, Managing Director of the Austrian Digital Radio Association, was able to see the new ASA functions for himself at the Frontier stand. Watch the video for a demonstration of the new ASA system.