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The government of Denmark has agreed with the opposition to switch off FM in 2019, reports radionyt.se. That makes Denmark the second country in the world to set a time frame for an FM switch off and to go for digital radio only, via DAB+. Norway has already decided on January 2017 as the switch off date for analogue radio. ”The world is going digital, and this is therefore a natural evolution that corresponds well to earlier work and political decisions in this area, just as what was the case with television a few years back. By setting a switch off date, we send a clear signal to both the industry and the listeners that we are moving forward. By setting a date so distant as 2019, the Danish will have plenty of time to take the FM switch off into consideration when they aquire new radio receivers.” Says Danish Minister of Culture Uffe Elbæk in a press release issued today. Denmark will at the same time go from DAB to more efficient and robust DAB+. 50% of the radio listening must happen digitally in 2018 for the switch off to happen, although this is a reasonable criteria that is not far off even today. Denmark was one of the first countries to start DAB transmissions, and both the uptake and the number of available DAB stations has been high. The Danish announcement is as expected. The questions now is which countries will follow next. I am guessing that the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, France and Germany will follow suit, as discussed here.

DAB has been on air since the 90s. Up to now all the radios for the European market have, with a few exceptions, been rather old-fashioned. They have offered radio and not much more. Absent were the possibilities for advanced functionalities that enable greater interaction with media savvy consumers through visuals and interactivity. Communication with the listeners is key, but radios have up to now not made such dialogue easy. IDAG (International DMB Advancement Group), an organisation for broadcasters and DMB/DAB+ licence holders has worked closely with Samsung to change this. The world’s leading global electronics consumer brand has just launched a device that enables broadcasters to have greater communication channels with its listeners. The device, Samsung Galaxy 5.0 Wi-Fi combines DAB/DAB+ and DMB with the internet and supports TPEG. It is Android powered, Google approved, has a 5 inch touch screen and comes with two cameras, GPS Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. As TPEG can be supported too, there is a potential of making it a great navigation unit. It is not a phone, but a huge step in the right direction. The name of the toy? Samsung Galaxy 5.0 Wi-Fi with DMB/DAB+. Nice and short. The best bit is that IDAG has worked closely with Samsung to gain access to the API of the device. The application protocol interface enables developers to control the DMB/DAB+ chipset at the same time as they can simultaneously communicate via the internet. Established data services such as Slideshow, DLS, DL+, Broadcast Websites, EPG and Journaline all come to life in the first app that has been developed for the device by Syngenio of Germany. So does integration to Facebook and Twitter. Listeners can by the touch of the screen share information on which radio station they are listening to, which track that is playing or even share the slideshow that is on. This integration opens up for radio programs to easier enable and integrate comments and discussions. Not ground-breaking? Well, these services are obvious examples. Any other internet service that you can think of may be added on a layer “on top” of the broadcast. Expect to see betting, gambling, touch screen shopping, personal coupons with ads and much more soon on a tablet near you. Or a phone. Such phones with the right chipset do already exist. In Korea. How about a Samsung Galaxy III with built-in DMB, DAB and DAB+? I’m quite certain that the first DMB/DAB+ enabled smart phone by a global brand will be on offer in Europe and beyond within 12 months from now. In the meantime, play around with the possibilities and find out what digital radio can do in a multiplatform future to benefit the consumer and keep radio relevant in a digital age. A shortened version of this article is published in Eureka, the magazine of WorldDMB.

The Norwegian government has decided to switch off FM in January 2017 (given certain criteria which will be fulfilled). And in neighbouring Sweden, a governmental report on radio and media in general was recently published. It clearly states that radio in Sweden will go digital and that the broadcasters will get extra money to do so. So, the future home of Julian Assange is set to follow in the steps of the Norwegians. The date is however uncertain, but probably by 2020. In the third Scandinavian country, politicians are expected to agree on a switch off in 2019. That is when the Danish FM licenses run out. The announcement can be expected as early as in October or November. So, who dares go next? Two years ago no one outside the offices of certain broadcasters even dared utter the three words “FM”, “switch” and “off” in the same sentence, let alone in that order. Now, to switch off FM is a clear goal being implemented in policies in more and more countries. Why? Because it saves broadcasters a lot of money that can be spent on better programs, it ensures the same radio offering to everyone whereever they live and it is much greener. Do you need more reasons? Here is a selection of articles. Help youself. My bet is that at least four out of the five countries below will follow suit and make an announcement of a forthcoming FM switch off no later than the end of 2014. The date of the actual switch off will vary, but a notice of 3-6 years is expected to be given. In reality, users should only be given two years. People are not stupid, they will get a new radio when one is needed. Not before. As is the case with a switch off of analogue television, most people wait until the last 2-3 weeks before the analogue signal goes off air until they buy the needed setup box. Consumers expect prices to fall while extra functionality will be added the longer they wait. Sales also pop up all over the place when retailers know something big is happening, so why buy now if you don’t have to? Great Britain This was the first country to start a DAB trial, and DAB signals now reach 93% of the population. Coverage will be increased to 97% by the end of 2015. 40% of people in London listen to DAB every week, and the UK seems almost ready to take the plunge as the first big country. How about an announcement in 2013? The Netherlands DAB has been on air for years in the Netherlands, but with very little marketing and few devices in shops. This is about to change, and both the public service broadcaster and the commercial ones will have transmissions on air by September 1, 2013. In addition moile TV company MTVNL has mobile TV signals and updated traffic data on air via DMB. The government looks at the licensing of FM and DAB as one matter. If you’re not on digital, you will not be allowed to remain on FM. The Dutch are more than ready to switch off FM relatively soon. France This might be a little bit of a surprise, given the reluctancy by the four big commercial broadcasters to go digital. They want to keep the competition away by staying on FM, milking it for what it is worth and sabotaging any attempt by the government to get going. Putting your head in a flower pot never helped anyone defeat hungry competitors, not even where cake should eradicate hunger. Frequency licenses are being handed out as we speak, and there are hundreds of applicants. The question is, will all the big four French dare not apply for digital licenses? What if one of them changes its mind two minutes before the deadline? Legislation is even in place to force all car manufacturers selling cars in France to add a digital broadcasting receiver in cars 18 months after regular DAB+ transmissions covers 20% of the country. This coverage level should be reached before the summer of 2013. Germany The biggest economy in Europe last year introduced nationwide radio transmissions for the first time since WWII, via DAB+. Digital radios are selling reasonably well, and digital radio is attracting new players into the radio business. If you own a global company with a huge marketing budget, why not spend some of the money on a hip and trendy radio station? Did you mention DJ Red Bull? Poland This is an outsider, but given its proximity to Germany and it being the fastest growing economy in Europe, I think this may be the surprise country to announce a switch off relatively soon. They have already trialled both DMB and DAB+ with good results in Poland and the players there are innovative and forward leaning. Involvement is a key criteria in any FM switch off plan, also in these five countries. Public broadcasters, commercial broadcasters, retailers AND governments must all work together to ensure success. In most of these countries, such processes have already started. And a switch off date is needed. No matter how many great new radio stations you add on digital, a fairly high percentage of the population will always be happy with what they already have. At least until they experience how much better the alternative is. But what about all those radios? Please don’t use the awful excuse: “But everyone will have to buy new radios.” You don’t complain when you and each and every one of your family members, colleagues and friends buy a new Samsung or a new Iphone every 18 months, then brag about your new gadget on Facebook afterwards. One of those smart phones costs more than 10 times the price of an average digital radios and requires much more energy to produce. You can also safely exclude another overused excuse: “But imagine the waste problem with all the radios that will be thrown away.” Again, why not care equally about all those mobile phones, tablets and laptops that you throw away every other year? They contain many more chemicals and electronics than a simple FM radio. And a radio works “forever,” so it has certainly done its duty compared to other gadgets that are old after a year or three. A radio also contains parts such as loudspeakers and antennas that can be reused with relative ease. Not to forget cheaper and cheaper adapter solutions that will actually pimp your old FM radio and make it a digital one.

I was recently introduced to someone by Chris Crew from Seattle, one of my friends and a talented writer who certainly knows how to put it. He thought the two of us might find mutual benefit in getting acquainted. This is how Chris, himself a teacher, introduced us to each other in an email: “Y’all are both referenced by me in my classroom when talking about how there are way more and more awesome jobs in the world than my kids realize. Also: I don’t really understand what either of you do but it involves business meals. My last business meal was enchiladas made by the cafeteria ladies for our parent conferences before the district outlawed using budgets for food.” It made me laugh out loud. Thanks, Chris! Although I must say that I hate the sound of such strict budget policies in schools. The kids are our future. Unless the Inca Indians turns out to be right or Kim Jong-un presses the wrong button. Any other superb introductions out there?

I was in North Korea in April, 2009. Another foreigner was there in October 2010. We both photographed the front page of The Pyongyang Times. The country’s only newspaper written in English seems to be cutting costs by reusing titles and layout. One of the articles in the 2009 edition was about North Koreas loss to South Korea in a World Cup qualifier. The journalist was not too happy: “Moreover, it is shocking that the Japanese refereeing supervisor shamelessy connived at this though he was obliged to ensure fair refereeing. The match turned into a mess of tricks and swindles. It is as clear as day that this was the product of the Lee Myung Bak [the President of South Korea] clan’s moves of confrontation with the DPKR and the deliberate behavior of the dishonest forces instigated by the clan. We sternly condemn the behavior of the Lee clan, which misbehaves itself in every way in disregard of the nation and the idea of sport, as the anti-reunification and anti-national moves of confrontation with the DPRK and strongly urge the south Korean authorities to bear full responsibility and immediately apologize for the serious incident.” Have you seen any other front pages from The Pyongyang Times like this? Or do you have similar experiences from North Korea or beyond? And a little bit on touching down in North Korea from an article I wrote for Terminal U..

Samsung launched an ad campaign in the US shortly after the press launch of Apple’s Iphone 5. Apple fans were not impressed and immediately started Photoshop jobs on the original ads. Both camps of fans are however missing the point. The phone manufacturers brag about various features, many of which do more or less the same, but with various copyrighted or trademarked names. But where are the groundbreaking features? The original ad. Response from Apple fans’. And a slightly more neutral version. These posters are all missing the point. Who cares what you call your phone features, when they are not all that unique anyway? Why not dare to be innovative and add what really matters? I would like to see some new and exciting features that customers actually will benefit from in their mobile phones. Adding DAB+/DMB will give users the possibility to receive free to air radio in over 40 countries around the world and mobile TV in more and more countries. How about that for a USP? Adding DMB, DAB and DAB+ in mobile phones would even be an advantage to MNOs in helping them with the following: Divert synchronous data (radio/TV) to broadcasting networks. That would offload their own telecom networks which are already struggeling. Do keep in mind that mobile data traffic is forecasted to increase 35 times by 2015. The number of connected devices will also explode from 5 billion now via 15 billion in 2015 to a staggering 50 billion in 2020. Increase the quality of service for all asynchronous services (normal web surfing) for all customers. Add new revenue streams (i.e. tag and buy music tracks played on the radio). Introduce unique selling points to customers (many new free to air radio stations and mobile TV channels). Open up for partnerships with broadcasters and third party companies that offer services on top of broadcasting services. This may include marketing opportunities. To name a few issues. So, who will be global brand to add what we’re really missing in mobile phones? Samsung is ahead so far. They have already produced a mini tablet, The Samsung Galaxy S 5.0 Wifi with built-in DMB and DAB+. I hope to see the first DMB/DAB+ phone next year. But it will take a cooperation between broadcasters, phone manufacturers and not least mobile network operators. Sounds like a wide shot? Hardly. Not when everyone will benefit from it.

I was just at IBC in Amsterdam, one of the world’s biggest exhibitions for professional broadcasting gear. There was also a conference there on DMB/DAB+, the de facto standard for digital radio and mobile television. DAB+ was presented from stage with cases from the UK, Germany and Australia, only 3 of over 40 countries around the world where the standard is being used. Such conferences always attract a mixed crowd. There will always all sorts of questions, including some technical ones that often do not take into account that there are also issues relevant to the industry as a whole and the market. A typical questions starts like this: ‘DAB is really old, why do you not go for [add a technology here] which is much better?’ This was also the case in Amsterdam. A person asked the panel why they didn’t rather go for ‘amazing’ DVB-T2 Lite instead of the ‘old and inefficient DAB technology.’ The panel dismissed his question as a technical one not related to the panel’s topic. It made sense to do so in the setting. Why not DVB-T2 Lite? I’d however like to ellaborate a little. There are several reasons not to go for DVB-T2 Lite such as building costs, runnings costs and coverage issues. These three issues can proably be debated, and there will be a claim that the costs will go down with time. They always do, also for DMB/DAB+. I will not go into detail here. However, let me look at the main two reasons not to go for DVB-T2 Lite. It is a non-proven standard that has not been put to use anywhere. Why not? It may boast impressive specifications, but there is no ecosystem around it. Where are the transmitters, the chipsets, the receivers, the car radios, the broadcasters, the development companies, the competence, the willingsness, the additional and parallell services? And last, but not least, where is the focus on radio? DVB-T2 is a standard made for television, not for radio. The DVB Project is of course a serious one, do not get me wrong. They have 250 broadcasters as members, primarily focused on television. When Chairman Phil Laven asked his members which aspects of the DVB-T2 standard were most important, radio came in as 76th. There are 75 priorities in line before radio! Does this sound like the way to go for digital radio? DVB-T2 may be efficient and possible the best standard on paper, but it isn’t widely available, it is not focusing on the needs for radio and there is no available ecosystem. There have been DAB services on air since 1995. And just a little reminder. It took 50 years to introduce FM radio. DAB has been much faster, despite being looked on as old. And old isn’t necessarily bad. The wheel is rather old. It is still widely used. Even on Ferraris. Ferraris Very few people drive Ferraris as they are expensive, not widely available, impractical, need frequent services which are available from only a few shops, and can’t run on most roads. They look bloody cool though, and the specs are incredibly impressive. On paper. It can probably do 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. But you need a proper road, perfect conditions on it and no traffic. It almost sounds like the prerequisites for radio and television to work semi-decently via the internet. The specs of DVB-T2 Lite may sound very cool, but to go for DVB-T2 Lite is expensive, the standard is not at all available, it is impractical for radio, not available in any shops and incapable of working in most networks (without replanning them). And of course, if you go for DVB-T2 Lite, you can bet that it won’t take many years before the guy who asked the original question will ask another; ‘DVB-T2 Lite is really old, why do you not go for [add a technology here] which is much better?’ You cannot win against those who always look for nothing by the, on paper, best specifications. Just don’t forget to consider the entire picture, because they wont. DAB+ is the de facto standard for digital radio broadcasting for a reason. And with DMB (part of the same standard) you can add mobile television on the premises of radio. Not the other way around as is the case with the theoretical DVB-T2 Lite route. And just to finish off, the fastest Ferrari ever built, the Ferrari F12berlinetta, comes with DAB+. I told you, Ferraris come with incredibly impressive specs.

I travel a fair amount and often speak to people about distribution related issues around the world. In most countries the attitude is that it will be very expensive to introduce digital radio via DAB+. – Because we already have an FM network, and building a new digital network is much more expensive, they say. They are wrong. Why? Because they forget to take into account that it costs a lot of money to run an FM network. You can build it, but it will not run for free. Far from it. An FM network costs more to run than a DAB+ network, a lot more if you want a selection of channels. FM needs one transmitter for every radio station while one DAB+ transmitter can broadcast up to 20 radio stations. A real life example I will exemplify, using figures from Norway, where FM will be switched off in January 2017. Digital radio via DAB/DAB+ is already in place covering more than 80% of the population. By the end of 2014, DAB+ will cover more than 99.5% of the population with almost 20 radio stations (only one radio station (NRK P1) currently covers the same amount of people). FM now Let us say that to transmit NRKs radio stations on FM costs 1,000 USD a year (the real figure is many thousand times higher). This gives one station (P1) to 99.5% of the people while P2 reaches 99% and P3 reaches 95%. Two additional radio stations (NRK mP3 and NRK Always News) reach 30% of the population and only those in the biggest cities. FM upgrades needed if not phased out Of course, FM would need a total makeover if it were to be continued past 2016, and the price would then increase to 1,400 USD per year from 2015. This is a cost that is almost always forgotten by those not in favour of digitalization. DAB/DAB+ now To transmit up to 20 radio stations (NRK still has not decided exactly how many radio stations they will offer) to 99.5% of the people will then cost 1,030 USD, only 3% more than FM now but with up to 300% more stations and all those stations to everyone. Do note that this is 36% cheaper than if staying on FM! And I repeat, with DAB everyone gets the same stations, and many more so than with FM. Much more democratic and much more friendly to those living in the countryside. Double distribution Of course you will also have to take into account double distribution, of both FM and DAB/DAB+. The FM costs will be the same as mentioned above, although somewhat reduced the last two years as it is being phased out, saving 1400 USD as opposed to continuing with FM only. NRK currently has 15 radio stations that reaches over 80% of the population via DAB (coverage increases monthly and will reach 90% by the end of 2013 and 99.5% by the end of 2014). To transmit DAB in addition to FM costs 250 USD in 2012, 600 USD in 2013 and 870 USD in 2014 (before reaching 1,030 USD per year from 2015). This additional cost of DAB for the five years of 2012, 2013, 204, 2015 and 2016 adds up to 3,780 USD. NRK will however save 1,400 USD in the same period on FM as it is being phased out. The real extra cost of double distribution for those five years is therefore 2,380 USD. As DAB (1030 USD per year) is cheaper than an upgraded FM (1400 USD per year), NRK will start paying less per year already in 2017, while the accumulated costs will be lower five and a half years later, in June 2022. With a much more modern network with many more stations to everyone. And modern radio that can handle parallel and additional services too. Both NRK and the listeners win. Governmental reassurance is needed Of course, NRK could not gamble on increasing DAB coverage to 99.5% unless the Norwegian government had actually decided to switch off FM in January 2017 (they decided to do so in May 2011). That decision made it possible for NRK to plan how to manage its distribution costs in order to give a much better offering to its audiences. Governments and broadcasters in other countries may find a useful lesson in the Norwegian example. Work together and save more What if you do not need up to 20 radio stations? Well, work with someone and cut your costs in half or less! Again, with FM, you will need one transmitter for each station, with DAB+ you can have 20 stations per transmitter. If you need 10 stations, work with someone else on the technical distribution and save 50%. If you need fewer stations than that you can save even more. Work together on distribution and technical issues, compete on content. Your costs will go down, your margins will go up. And no. The internet will not take over for broadcasted radio. Note: For this example’s sake, a price of current FM distribution was set to 1,000 USD per year. All other figures can be seen in relation to this. They are based on NRK figures.

Why is the world shouting for more bandwidth? Because the world is running out of it due to heavily increased usage and an explosion in the number of connected terminals (currently 5 billion devices, with 50 billion forecasted in only eight years). You cannot solve a linear increase in supply by a geometric increase in demand. But who is fighting for bandwidth? Broadcasters want it for broadcasting services whereas ISPs and MNOs want it for (mobile) internet. And why the increase in demand? A lot of the increased bandwidth usage comes from new advanced users. This cannot and should not be stopped. ‘Everyone’ should have access to the internet, no doubt. But let us look the biggest increase in types of bandwidth consumption: Video and television services. Some of this is on demand, but the peaks always come from streamed live events, whether it is a press conference from Cupertino, Jamaicans running in London or coverage of heinous terrorist acts in New York. The internet in Norway was almost taken down during the Skiing World Cup in 2011 and allegedly nearly so again during the most popular events at the Olympics in London (especially the handball final which saw the Norwegian ladies claim the gold). The common denominator? These events are usually broadcast live on popular television channels (and on radio stations) that almost everyone can access at home. Why then even offer the same content streamed via the internet at the same time? By doing so, broadcasters are making sure that scarce bandwidth resources are being pushed to the limit over and over again. This only fuels the claims from ISPs and MNOs that they are running out of bandwidth and that they therefore need access to frequencies currently being used by broadcasters. Broadcasters are themselves their worst enemy in the battle for bandwidth. They can easily adjust that by not making available live content that is already being offered via broadcasting, or by doing so delayed or not as a TV channel. The arguments is also valid for radio, although lower bandwidth is needed. Then again, if everyone in the UK or Norway decides to listen to the radio via the internet, it will go down or be much slower. Swedish television (SVT) do for instance not offer their television channels online, only some live content and not content that is ‘live on tape’ (prerecorded and then broadcast). They are, in other words, not using their TV channels as brands online. Live television content that is available via a TV channel should only in certain contexts be made available, not as a general rule. Exceptions include people outside the coverage area (i.e. abroad, given that the rights are cleared) or people on the run (i.e. only via mobiles), but then possibly delayed by a few minutes. And this only deals with the capacity issue of the internet. Let us not forget other issues like gatekeepers, hacking, power consumption or costs, covered here: Why the Internet Won’t Solve Everything.

I recently spoke at Johannesburg Radio Days in South Africa. Professor Franz Krüger (@franzkruger) of Wits Radio Academy in the same city wanted me to shed light on whether digital radio can work in that country too. I have later received the same question several times, so let me share some of my South African thoughts here. My conclusion will not surprise you if you have read this blog before. In the panel I took part in you could also find Dave Cherry of Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA) and Kate Skinner of SOS Support Public Broadcasting. Cherry took a rather technical approach and showed how it can all be done when they hope to get a trial license for DAB+ next year. Luckily he will not have to wait until next year to see digital radio on air in Jozi. It is already live and kicking. A company called Mobile TV PTY has been trialling digital radio via DAB+ and mobile TV via DMB for over half a year from the Sentech tower, one of two landmarks in the biggest city in South Africa. I would strongly encourage Cherry and his colleagues of SADIBA to join forces with Mobile TV PTY (which is even among their own members) and follow their trials, which are expected to transform into commercial services within months from now – depending on the outcome of the application to the government (ICASA). SADIBA, and many of its members, want to learn about digital radio broadcasting and the possibilities and benefits it offers. There is no reason not to learn together and to refrain from following the company that is on air, that has partnered with a range of radio and television broadcasters already and that has a number of very exciting plans with regards to content, interactivity, transport of various forms of data (not only radio and tv) and revenue generating services. Mobile TV PTY has strong investors and a skilled team that can make this fly. The company is headed by Dr. Mothobi Mutloatse. Do note that Mobile TV PTY is a member also of IDAG, an organization promoting digital radio and mobile television (and which I am the president of). Skinner was sceptical about digital radio in the very near future. She said that DAB digital radio needs to be tested properly first and claimed there is a lack of receivers. DAB and the upgraded version of it DAB+ has been live on air since 1995, currently so in over 40 countries across the globe. And there are already thousands of digital radio receiver models on the market. There is farther between every receiver that is also capable of receiving mobile TV via DMB, but more and more receivers are being introduces, even so also from the biggest mobile phone brand in the world, Samsung. She finally pointed on the additional costs of going digital. What she did forget was that to keep FM going also demands huge costs. In Norway, the costs of maitaining and upgrading the FM network (which is old and very much ready for a makeover) would have been higher than the costs of transferring to DAB (and that includes double distribution for years) but with none of the benefits. Why will digital broadcasted radio also succeed in South Africa? I have covered many of the reasons before. First of all, it is cheaper: Why FM is More Expensive than Digital 2034 Transmitters Are 1484 Too Many Help the BBC Save 74% There are room for many more stations, increased competition and better programs: The 2800% Difference Everyone, wherever they live, will get the same offering (an analogue transmitter will carry only one radio station whereas a digital transmitter will carry up to 20 radio stations): Not Everyone Lives in Oslo Digital radio is much greener: DAB 20 Times Greener Than FM There is a “built-in” possibility to add a range of additional and parallel services, some of them also know as interactivity: Parallel and Additional Services Voting, Chatting, Twittering. On Your TV, On Your Radio. Broadcasting Isn’t Only for Radio and TV The internet is not designed to deliver live radio to large audiences in various contexts: Why the Internet Won’t Solve Everything (v5hort) A Collapse of the Internet Narrowly Avoided Why 4G is Hyped Radio is old, but so is the wheel – both are very much future proof: The Foreverness of Radio The Continuing Success of Linear Radio and TV FM is way past its due date Why FM Must Go 21 Reasons Why FM is Almost History And FM is being switched off in the first countries whereas more countries are expected to follow: Norway Switches Off FM Denmark Also to Switch Off FM Do also note that internet penetration in the country is at 17% (statistics quoted at Radio Days Johannesburg, even lower here). And that many people lack ordinary television receivers. To get a small TV capable of both mobile television (DMB) and digital radio (DAB+) will be the solution for many. (DMB and DAB+ have different characteristics but both are part of the same standard.) Both radio futurologist James Cridland (@JamesCridland) and above mentioned Franz Krüger claim that the future of radio is multiplatform. I do agree. And digital broadcasting is certainly a part of this. Also in South Africa. And when South Africa moves, the rest of the continent usually pays attention and eventually follows.

On June 18th I travelled to 5 continents with filmmaker Adrian Butterworth of Adelia Television. The story was received with interest across the globe and has so far received press coverage in 17 countries on four continents. It will all turn into a documentary film later this year, although a preview has already been made available in English and Norwegian. The preview has been watched by people in over 100 countries on Youtube. It has also impressed manufacturers of various travel related gear, such as hand luggage friendly grooming products from Bluebeards Revenge. They provide for high quality shaving experiences, their slogans being Travel Hard Shave Easy and Train Hard Shave Easy. They wanted me to star in a television ad, and gave me an offer I was unable to resist. So I suddenly found myself shaving in front of the camera in a small hotel downtown Caracas, one of the murder capitals of the world. The hotel was well protected though, so I ended up shaven, not stirred. The result can be seen here, on their website.

One of the great things about digital broadcasting using DMB/DAB+ is the possibility to distribute other things than only live radio and mobile television. I refer to this in two ways, depending on what it is used for: parallel services and additional services. But what do those terms mean and what is the difference? Parallel services Parallel services are related to radio or television broadcasts and are made up by data that is broadcast in parallel to relevant programmes. Most such services are currently completely broadcasted, others are only partially so – some additional data may also be transported via the internet. Examples of paralell services are: A competition in which the listeners or viewers decide whether artist A, B or C will win a singing contest. The information about the vote itself and the answer options will be broadcast, whereas each individual vote from the audience will be sent back to the broadcaster via a return channel (i.e. 3G, 4g, Wi-Fi). Integration towards social networks where users logged on can write comments, share playlists or let other know what they are watching or listening to. Such services can exist without any direct technical connection to the broadcast itself (and only exisit independently ia the internet), although it is beneficial if there is a direct link to the broadcast for accuracy and so that relevant metadata is tied up to the postings on social networks. Internet links being broadcasted out to give the audience information on relevant content. This can be links to old episodes, relevant maps, music tracks or photographs of programme leaders or artists. Such links are broadcasted and then triggers the receiver to visit the relavnt websites. Touch screen shopping is very relevant to commercial broadcasters. During the ad break, or even during a show through product placement, relevant goods (physical or virtual) can be advertised and even sold directly to the audience by sending them a URL that takes them to a web shop upon touching the screen. Extra information being broadcast about a programme. It can for instance be the name of a song and the artist, information on the next programme or a photograph of someone who is being mentioned. Electronic programme guides (EPGs) may be distributed via DMB/DAB+. These are like on your PVR. They show the current programmes as well as what will come up on various stations or channels. The great thing about parallel services is that they may help the broadcaster enhance the programmes by giving the audience something extra. Not everyone will be interested in this, others only in certain contexts, but it gives the listeners or viewers something more than only the audio of the radio programme and the station or the television programme and the channel. Additional services Such services are not related to radio or television broadcasts. These services are however broadcast via the same DMB/DAB+ network and can help the broadcasters increase revenues or lower the cost of the radio or television services. Benefits are obvious. Everyone gets the same information at the same time, and distribution costs are much lower than if the same data were to be transported via 3G, 4G or similar. Examples of such services are: Traffic information can be broadcast via DMB/DAB+ using the TPEG standard (which also supports weather info, points of interest, etc.). Navigation units will pick up the signals, get the data on accidents, traffic jams or closed roads and if needed reroute the driver. Such services are widespread in Korea (via DMB), although not completelly following the international standard used internationally. Several companies have similar plans in Europe and elsewhere. Information on scheduled transport routes to i.e. bus, train or tram stops is being distributed via DMB/DAB+ in the Netherlands. DMB/DAB+ is so energy efficient on the receiver side (many times more so than 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi), that receiver can run on solar power. That saves a lot of money as no electricity has to be installed to these stops that in many cases do not have installed power. And the transport of such data is cheaper than using telecom networks. Emergency information can be sent out, reaching everyone at the same time without any risk of the network collapsing. Textual news, sport results, weather reports, etc. can also be distributed. Such info may not be relevant to the station you are listening to, but possibly very relevant to the users. There are not internet connections in many rural areas. In South Africa, DMB/DAB+ is being planned as a way of transporting educational resources to schools in rural areas. The data needed will be sent as files (electronic books, magazines, newspapers) and then stored locally. Broadcasting is not only for live radio and television. Read more about that here in an older blog post. Combination is… Combination of broadcasting and the internet ensures the strength of both technologies and the weaknesses of none. A broadcast signal is cost effective, non-personalized and doesn’t discriminate as it reaches everyone at the same time with the same data. Broadcasting does however not have the same possibilities for providing individualised offerings and it does not include a return channel. Combination is king. Still.