DAB/DAB+ deployment in NZ

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › DAB/DAB+ deployment in NZ

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#84087 24-May-2011 23:14

Hi everyone

Does anyone have *up-to-date* information about any planned or trial deployments of DAB/DAB+ radio in NZ. My understanding is that it is or was on trial in Wellington and Auckland. Has that changed?

mm

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#473771 25-May-2011 06:19

Don't expect to see a live network (if anybody can actually build a business case for it) until after 2013 when anlugue TV disappears to free up the VHF spectrum for it. My understanding is the trial in Wellington ended some time ago.

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#473920 25-May-2011 13:48

Thanks Steve

That was about where my expectations were set. Looks like I'm going to be trying to develop DAB support for MediaPortal with no network to test with! You don't know of any cheap DAB transmitters do you - the equivalent of the FM transmitters people use for MP3 players and cellphones when their car audio systems don't have a line in?

AOlphert

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#474275 26-May-2011 10:15

FYI.

Kordia is still operating a DAB and DAB+ trial service across Auckland and central Wellington. The service is Auckland has two transmission sites operating as a single frequency network (SFN) and demonstrates the benefits of an SFN in terrain like Auckland. We have a range of broadcasters providing content to the trial. Feedback from people who are listening has been very positive. Some consumers have even purchased receivers even though this isn't a commercial service.

News from Australia is very positive with around 400,000 receivers being sold since launch. In Europe it looks like focus is finally being put on in-vehicle receivers (both factory fitted and after market).

There is no fixed planning for a commercial network in NZ, however this doesn't necessarily need to wait for Analogue Switch Off/Digital Switch On as the whole VHF band doesn't need to be cleared. 4 transmitters broadcasting 20 content streams each could be deployed in one VHF Band 3 channel.

If any one has any questions about DAB or the Kordia trial feel free to contact me.

Aaron Olphert
Manager - Products & Strategy
Kordia

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#474302 26-May-2011 11:14

Hi Aaron

Thanks for responding - its good to have an official answer. Unfortunately I'm based in the Manawatu, so it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to participate in the trial at the moment. I might see if I can find a low powered low range DAB transmitter in the Aussie online stores...

Best regards,
mm