Category: Radio
Date: 13.12.2004
Printable version
Sales of DAB digital radio
sets are set to soar past one million units by January, buoyed by Christmas
trade, the Â鶹Éç predicts.
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The announcement comes as the Â鶹Éç's vision for the future
of DAB digital radio - as submitted to the Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport - is published as part of the Government's review of
digital radio.
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The full report will be available at bbc.co.uk/info/
from noon today.
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It was predicted earlier this year that sales of DAB
sets could reach a million by 2005 but figures up to October - showing
more than 800,000 units sold (DRDB / Gfk) before Christmas trade had
begun - suggest the end-of-year total will exceed that figure.
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Simon Nelson, Controller of Â鶹Éç Radio & Music Interactive,
said: "The Â鶹Éç is fully committed to DAB and, thanks to the collaborative
efforts of the Â鶹Éç, commercial radio, manufacturers and retailers, digital
radio looks like being one of the success stories of the year."
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The Â鶹Éç submission to the Secretary of State reiterates
the Corporation's belief that DAB is the only technology that will convert
the vast majority of listening from analogue to digital in the UK -
a robust broadcast medium offering reception of audio and data in static,
portable and mobile environments, capable of cheap, mass production
and of integration into a variety of devices.
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It also states that, although there are encouraging
signs from the digital radio market, the industry and the country are
not yet ready for the digital switchover to digital radio.
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The report recommends the Government review the progress
of DAB digital radio in three years with a view to setting the date
for switchover.
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It asks that a joint industry plan for the digital migration
of the entire UK radio sector should be agreed before this review.
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The plan should ensure that, before switchover, analogue
provision is matched and no participant in the radio sector is left
behind.
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In the report the Â鶹Éç reveals that it has devised an
outline plan for allocating and managing spectrum that will deliver
enhancements to all tiers of digital radio provision.
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The submission calls for the release of five blocks
of Band III spectrum for DAB digital radio, for use by the entire radio
industry, enabling the migration of Â鶹Éç and commercial services that
are currently not available on DAB.
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The details will be shared with Ofcom and the Government
as part of the Â鶹Éç's request that a joint industry approach be taken
regarding spectrum.
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The Â鶹Éç also recommends that the Government explore
ways to support the UK DAB digital radio manufacturing industry and
called for manufacturers to develop recognisable performance standards
to ensure consumer satisfaction.
