Dutch mediumwave stations now allowed to
use DRM
The Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands has announced that holders
of mediumwave licences may now apply for a modification to the licence
to allow them to use the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) system.
The Agency highlights three benefits of DRM over analogue:
• Greatly improved audio and reception quality
• The possibility of transmitting additional data services
• Lower power is necessary (less environmental damage and lower energy
costs)
The Agency also points out the disadvantage that listeners first have
to buy a new DRM receiver.
For existing mediumwave licence holders, there are three options:
1. Continue broadcasting in analogue (no further action necessary)
2. Replace analogue with DRM, in which case the licence holder needs to
request a modification to the existing licence
3. Replace analogue with a so-called SCS (Single Channel Simulcast) transmission
allowing analogue and DRM modes to be broadcast on the same frequency,
which also requires a licence modifcation.
(Source: Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands)
Media Network's Andy Sennitt comments:
At the 2005 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, I was
told informally by a colleague from the Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands
that the Agency was keen to get DRM on the agenda as soon as possible,
so this announcement is not a surprise.
I imagine that option 3 (Single Channel Simulcast) will appeal to licence
holders, certainly for the next few years when very few DRM receivers
are in use.
Source: Media Network
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