19.08.2026
Top story

Safety alerts on DAB+ radio: Try out the new Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) service for yourself at home

In an emergency, every minute counts. A new safety system for DAB+ digital radio, known as Automatic Safety Alert (ASA), is currently being developed and is expected to launch nationwide in September under the service identifier ASA DE. The safety feature can be tested at home or in an electronics shop. Over 35 different DAB+ radio models have already been successfully certified for ASA and are available in shops or online. Certified devices can be identified by the ASA quality mark on the packaging or directly on the radio. Set-up and the function test can be carried out in just a few steps. Information on ASA and instructions for the function test are available to download as a PDF at www.dabplus.de/asa.

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13.08.2026

Safety alerts via DAB+ radio: Guidelines for the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) released

The members of Digitalradio Deutschland e.V., together with other stakeholders from the broadcasting industry, have released guidelines for the network-wide roll-out of the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA). ASA is setting new global standards for the dissemination of safety alerts via DAB+ radio. The publication of the guidelines was preceded by a development and coordination phase lasting more than two years. They are aimed at B2B audiences, including transmission network operators and broadcasters, who wish to assess and implement the introduction of ASA via DAB+. Together with the globally applicable ETSI standard for alerts via DAB+, the guidelines describe the entire alert chain, from the text message sent by the alerting authority to the activation of the receiver in the event of a crisis.

(Digitalradio Deutschland) Read more

27.05.2026

Helmut G. Bauer: The new DAB+ warning system, ‘ASA Automatic Safety Alert’

Helmut G. Bauer, member of Digitalradio Deutschland writes: The floods on the Ahr, Erft and Wupper rivers, as well as the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the importance of effective warning systems. The floods revealed weaknesses, such as mobile network failures and limited accessibility via radio, as only switched-on devices could receive warnings. With ‘ASA – Automatic Safety Alert’, a digital DAB+ warning system has been developed that automatically switches on DAB+ radios and broadcasts warnings specifically within the danger zone. As part of civil protection, a resilient radio infrastructure is required. The federal government, the Länder, the KEF and the state media authorities must contribute to its funding, as civil protection is a public responsibility.

(Medienpolitik.net) Read more

03.04.2026

Belgium explores DAB+ crisis radio channel

Belgium’s French-language public broadcaster, RTBF, could play a role in a new government-led crisis radio service designed to deliver urgent public information during emergencies. The issue came to light following a report by Sudinfo, a news platform focused on regional and local coverage in southern Belgium. The report said the broadcaster is considering launching a crisis radio channel to ensure the flow of critical information to the public during emergencies. The proposal was subsequently discussed on March 31 during a meeting of the parliamentary commission of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. The concept involves a dedicated radio channel using RTBF’s broadcast infrastructure, with DAB+ identified as the preferred distribution platform.

(RedTech International) Read more

20.03.2026

Spanish competition regulator recommends DAB+ rollout and safety alerts

Spain's National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has published a report containing recommendations to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the Spanish electricity system, based on the conclusions drawn from the investigation into the incident that occurred on 28 April 2025. The report includes recommendations for other sectors affected by their reliance on the electricity supply. In the telecommunications and audiovisual sectors, there is a call to strengthen coordination with electricity planning, including promoting the roll-out of DAB+ and automatic safety alerts. "The widespread roll-out of DAB+ and subsequently its alert system is an essential recommendation in light of the incident of 28 April 2025," the report says.

(National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC)) Read more

15.12.2025

Safety alerts via DAB+ radio: Automatic Safety Alert ASA function test available nationwide

In crisis situations, every second counts – and DAB+ radio can become a vital source of information. The new Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) system, which is currently being tested, is capable of automatically switching on certified DAB+ radios and immediately transmitting recommendations for action for the affected region. As a further step towards the introduction of ASA, it is now possible to experience the technology live: anyone who already owns an ASA-certified device or is testing one in a specialist shop can see for themselves. The new function test is broadcast via the first national programme platform and can be received, for example, via the Deutschlandfunk channel ‘Dokumente und Debatten DokDeb’ (Documents and Debates DokDeb).

(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more

04.12.2025

Medipol achieves a first in Turkey: DAB+ ASA system successfully tested

Under the academic leadership of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kemal Özdemir, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Engineering Department at Istanbul Medipol University, and with the contributions of fourth-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering students Hakan Sabuniş and Yusuf Ünlü, the development and testing process of the DAB+ ASA (Automatic Safety Alert) system, implemented for the first time in Turkey, was successfully completed. The demo test of this advanced technology system, which has only been trialled in Germany in Europe to date, was conducted at the Çamlıca Television Tower. During the testing process, all components of the system were operated flawlessly, and its performance was successfully observed under emergency scenarios.

(İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi) Read more

26.11.2025

Sound meets safety – the new Albrecht DR 760 digital radio with ASA hazard warning system

The Albrecht DR 760 combines modern audio technology with practical everyday functions. Thanks to DAB+ and FM reception, the radio offers a wide selection of stations and crystal-clear sound quality. The automatic station search ensures quick and easy programming. Ideal for people who value versatile reception, clear sound quality, extensive settings options and intuitive operation – whether in the living room, kitchen or office. With DAB+ and FM reception, the new ASA function and Bluetooth functionality, this model is positioned as a future-proof everyday companion. The new compact Albrecht DR 760 digital radio is now available online and in specialist shops at a recommended retail price of £129.00.

(BDR / Alan Electronics GmbH) Read more

21.11.2025

Four new DAB+ radios with ASA warning function from Imperial

Imperial has unveiled four new DAB+ radios with official ASA certification. These are the DABman280 in silver and black, and the DABman220 and DABman120, both in black. The top model is the DABman280, which will be available for €219.99. The DAB+/FM radio comes with a CD player in a wooden case. ASA functions include warning messages, alarm and switch functions, location codes for warning areas and short alarm cycles for reduced power consumption.

(Digitalfernsehen.de) Read more

27.10.2025

First non-public test of the ASA warning message in Czechia

Alerting the public to situations that pose a threat to health and safety is a duty and a long-standing part of broadcasting – the reach and immediacy of the media, especially radio, which people listen to at home, at work, and on the road, combined with a generally high level of trust and very high reliability, make radio an excellent platform for warning the population in crisis situations. For the first time in the Czech Republic at the Media and Technology conference in Průhonice, the ASA (Automatic Safety Alert) warning system was presented. This system is broadcast on DAB+ digital radio networks and targeted at only three areas covering a total of just 1 km2, including the conference venue itself.

(Televizniweb.cz) Read more

17.10.2025

Bayern Digital Radio at the Munich Media Days 2025

#MTM25 will take place from 22 to 24 October 2025 at the House of Communication in Munich. Over three days, Europe's leading media conference will offer over 100 sessions, keynotes and exclusive masterclasses. International experts will discuss the future of the media and communications industry on five stages. The accompanying expo in the immediate vicinity of the stages will feature partner lounges, exhibition areas and showrooms, inviting visitors to network. Bayern Digital Radio will be presenting a live demo of ASA (Automatic Safety Alert) here. The ASA-enabled DAB+ radios on display will respond ‘live’ to the ASA messages broadcast every quarter of an hour. There will also be up-to-date information on network expansion, projects and marketing campaigns.

(Bayern Digital Radio) Read more