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http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Accessories/Sound/A8D4F9C4

Digital Radio Trials Coming Soon

By David Richards | Wednesday | 28/03/2007

The Federal Government has finally moved to take Australia into the 21st Centuary with the announcement that it will trial Digital Radio. Both the UK and the USA have had digital radio for years.

Digital radio broadcasts should start in Australia's capital cities by the end of next year, the government says. The new service should include national, commercial and community radio from the beginning.

Legislation covering the licensing, planning and regulation of the new generation of radio was introduced into the House of Representatives by Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson today.

Mr Billson said the transition to digital was the most important strategic issue facing Australian radio since the introduction of FM.

Digitisation was transforming all media and radio was the last significant medium to remain analogue-only.

Mr Billson said digital radio would supplement existing analogue radio for a considerable time and may never completely replace it.

The government would not enforce an unrealistic and costly conversion from analogue.

Mr Billson said the first services would use the European Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard, the most widely used system internationally and for which a wide range of reasonably priced receivers was available.

DAB, unlike analogue radio, uses a multiplex on which a number of services can be broadcast on one frequency channel.

To give commercial broadcasters stability, there would be a six year moratorium on new digital licences after broadcasting began in each licence area.

While digital services would start in the capitals, the government was committed to the service being extended to rural and remote Australia.

Mr Billson said a specific multiplex transmitter licence would accommodate the digital radio services of the ABC and SBS.

He said the national broadcasters should play a key role in driving consumer take-up of digital radio.

The new system would be reviewed by 2011.

"The bill cements radio's important position in the Australian media landscape, providing industry with the opportunity to invest in innovative new digital content and provide listeners with a rich and more diverse radio offering," Mr Billson said.

Debate was adjourned.

Finally ! can only presume the european style digital radio DAB they are adopting is the same as DAB in the UK.

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Posted

alebonau,

The USA has only had satellite digital radio for years

The UK, Canada and other European countries have DAB. see World DMB

The ACMA is talking of DMB not DAB. DMB is Digital Multimedia Broadcasting and is an extension of DAB to allow the transmission of pictures and data.

So this is not identical to the UK radio. So don't import UK radios.

Also you will not see battery powered portable receivers because the current drain is too high.

The other Digital radio system is DRM which is much more suited to Australia's regional and remote areas. Radio New Zealand has been transmitting it since last June.

AlanH

Posted
alebonau,

The USA has only had satellite digital radio for years

The UK, Canada and other European countries have DAB. see World DMB

The ACMA is talking of DMB not DAB. DMB is Digital Multimedia Broadcasting and is an extension of DAB to allow the transmission of pictures and data.

So this is not identical to the UK radio. So don't import UK radios.

Also you will not see battery powered portable receivers because the current drain is too high.

The other Digital radio system is DRM which is much more suited to Australia's regional and remote areas. Radio New Zealand has been transmitting it since last June.

AlanH

hi alan as per the article..

Mr Billson said the first services would use the European Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard, the most widely used system internationally and for which a wide range of reasonably priced receivers was available.

DAB, unlike analogue radio, uses a multiplex on which a number of services can be broadcast on one frequency channel.

Posted

alebonau,

I suggest you look at the link above.

Secondly the Federal Government has given the Radio industry $2.2 million for a research project into digital radio. See Commercial Radio Australia

This link describes the selected standard as DAB+ which is also DMB. It has been selected because it is 3 times more efficent than the compression system used in standard DAB. This makes the cost per broadcast program a third.

The standard DAB receiver as used in the UK will not decode AAC compression.

It is interesting that Bruce Billson is the assistant to the Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, why not the Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts?

AlanH

Posted

Gee with DMB you can't use a portable radio! Fantastic! What will people do in an emergency. Thats the most stupid system out there. Many many people still use portable radios to this day rather than a home theatre radio or a boombox.

Posted

datvman,

You could always sit in your car and listen to it there!

As the intergration of the electronics improves I suppose the current consumption will go down and batteries will get better!

AlanH

Posted
datvman,

You could always sit in your car and listen to it there.

I could, but how can I take the car with me when going for my morning walk :blink:

Posted
I could, but how can I take the car with me when going for my morning walk :blink:
Mr Billson said digital radio would supplement existing analogue radio for a considerable time and may never completely replace it.

I don't think they will switch the analogue off until as AlanH says we get the technology to have portable devices for digital radio. So you will still be able to get your fix of Jay & The Doctor on your morning walk :D .

Posted
As the intergration of the electronics improves I suppose the current consumption will go down and batteries will get better!

Single chip lower power designs are just around the corner. At least we won't be getting in on the ground floor with digital radio and won't be stuck with older codecs as we are with FTA TV.

Posted

just for your interest guys.

on my Sony STSDB900S AM/FM DAB tuner bought in Oz

http://www.stereo.net.au/forum/index.php?a...ost&id=1263

I am pickign up as DAB right now...

1. Digital Extra - Classical

2. ABC Classic FM

3. ABC DIG

4. ABC News Radio

5. 3MBS

6. SBS Digital Radio

7. Sport DRB Radio

8. Sport DAB Radio

ABC classical FM playign some female vocals at present sounds lovely too via DAB.

bring on DAB radio ! the trial stuff on at present certainly sounds a good step from FM.

Posted
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Accessories/Sound/A8D4F9C4

Finally ! can only presume the european style digital radio DAB they are adopting is the same as DAB in the UK.

No. From my understanding, the UK system is the older codec. Hence why you couldn't find a DAB radio for the previous 6-12mths in Australia. All repuatable brands withrew their radios from retail because they knew it was obsolete.

The DAB format Australia will see is the newer codec based on MPEG4 I believe. As most here know, this allows for better compression and more support data.

What I would like to see is full support of digital radio through STBs, I hope so, but I won;t hold my breath.

Also, word from those in the industry is they don't expect the analogue system to be turned off in a timely manner like digital tv. They expect a very long coexistance of both technologies with opinions of 20 years as the minimum I've heard, and that's probably optimistic.

Posted
No. From my understanding, the UK system is the older codec. Hence why you couldn't find a DAB radio for the previous 6-12mths in Australia. All repuatable brands withrew their radios from retail because they knew it was obsolete.

The DAB format Australia will see is the newer codec based on MPEG4 I believe. As most here know, this allows for better compression and more support data.

What I would like to see is full support of digital radio through STBs, I hope so, but I won;t hold my breath.

Also, word from those in the industry is they don't expect the analogue system to be turned off in a timely manner like digital tv. They expect a very long coexistance of both technologies with opinions of 20 years as the minimum I've heard, and that's probably optimistic.

well i think its clear from the article that the system we will get is the one commonly used in uk and europe which is dab. not mpeg4 or anythign else. and no we wont get full support though stbs. so wouldnt hold breath on that one.

dab radio currently is widely used in europe with a huge range of products.

there actually is quite reputable brands of dab radios availalbe right now on this market here. and theyre working perfectly well on picking up the dab radio trials that are goign on right now as I posted further up.

Posted
well i think its clear from the article that the system we will get is the one commonly used in uk and europe which is dab. not mpeg4 or anythign else. and no we wont get full support though stbs. so wouldnt hold breath on that one.

dab radio currently is widely used in europe with a huge range of products.

there actually is quite reputable brands of dab radios availalbe right now on this market here. and theyre working perfectly well on picking up the dab radio trials that are goign on right now as I posted further up.

Refer to this article: http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/news.cfm#100325

It's true that we will be using the DAB (Eureka 147) platform, however, we will be using a new enhanced version of it which is much more efficient. Existing DAB radios (i.e. the ones commonly used in Europe) will cease to work when the trials are switched over to the new codec (AAC+) as they are only capable of decoding MPEG audio. The new codec is much more efficient allowing for many more stations to be broadcast over the same amount of bandwidth. If we adopted the system currently in use in the UK, we would not have sufficient bandwidth available for all the various stations.

Posted
Refer to this article: http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/news.cfm#100325

It's true that we will be using the DAB (Eureka 147) platform, however, we will be a new enhanced version of it which is much more efficient. Existing DAB radios (i.e. the ones commonly used in Europe) will cease to work when the trials are switched over to the new codec (AAC+) as they are only capable of decoding MPEG-2 audio. The new codec is much more efficient allowing for many more stations to be broadcast over the same amount of bandwidth. If we adopted the system currently in use in the UK, we would not have sufficient bandwidth available for all the various stations.

your article is 2 weeks older than the one I posted at the start of this thread sayign we are getting DAB as in the UK and europe and goign into details of the legislation introduced in house of representatives and givenrment has finally moved on a decision in this regard.

I'm very interested in how things pan out. will keep an eye out for any further news on the topic. and certainly if anyone else comes across any more current news on digital radio please do post on further developements.

Posted
I'm very interested in how things pan out. will keep an eye out for any further news on the topic. and certainly if anyone else comes across any more current news on digital radio please do post on further developements.

According to this presentation by the CRA CEO, the digital trials in Sydney are already using the AAC+ codec instead of MPEG: http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/...an%20warner.ppt

As the communications minister put it, to adopt the current UK system...

Let’s face it, adoption now of a standard that is already 10 years old and may well be superseded, for implementation in another 2 to 3 years, would, in my view, be irresponsible.
Posted
According to this presentation by the CRA CEO, the digital trials in Sydney are already using the AAC+ codec instead of MPEG: http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/...an%20warner.ppt

As the communications minister put it, to adopt the current UK system...

that dates back even further 2006...all old news I'm afraid.

as mentoned in the article I psoted dated 28 March 07 "Legislation covering the licensing, planning and regulation of the new generation of radio was introduced into the House of Representatives" and the bill passed was for DAB as per UK and europe as it is now.

Posted
that dates back even further 2006...all old news I'm afraid.

as mentoned in the article I psoted dated 28 March 07 "Legislation covering the licensing, planning and regulation of the new generation of radio was introduced into the House of Representatives" and the bill passed was for DAB as per UK and europe as it is now.

Well here's the bill being introduced

http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/Reposi...ed/28030704.pdf

It doesn't really go into specifics about the compression to be used.

Additional discussion around the bill shows that the bill itself does not dictate what technical standards will be used for digital radio, rather, it will be up to the discretion of the ACMA.

While the government favours an industry based approach to developing technical standards, the bill provides the ACMA with the power to determine such standards in relation to digital radio where necessary. ACMA will also be provided with the power to require industry to develop and register codes of practice relating to a range of digital radio issues and determine standards where these codes do not operate effectively. These measures will help ensure that consumers are appropriately protected as this new technology is introduced.

The site also states that it's still under consideration rather than having been passed already.

Posted
Well here's the bill being introduced

http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/Reposi...ed/28030704.pdf

It doesn't really go into specifics about the compression to be used.

Additional discussion around the bill shows that the bill itself does not dictate what technical standards will be used for digital radio, rather, it will be up to the discretion of the ACMA.

The site also states that it's still under consideration rather than having been passed already.

sorry that particular bill is purely about digital radio licencesing and handing out of licenses by the ACMA, but has absolutely nothign to do with the bill introduced into the house of representatives as reported by smarthouse and outlinging that "the first services would use the uropean Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard, the most widely used system internationally and for which a wide range of reasonably priced receivers was available "

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Accessories/Sound/A8D4F9C4

Digital Radio Trials Coming Soon

By David Richards | Wednesday | 28/03/2007

The Federal Government has finally moved to take Australia into the 21st Centuary with the announcement that it will trial Digital Radio. Both the UK and the USA have had digital radio for years.

Digital radio broadcasts should start in Australia's capital cities by the end of next year, the government says. The new service should include national, commercial and community radio from the beginning.

Legislation covering the licensing, planning and regulation of the new generation of radio was introduced into the House of Representatives by Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson today.

Mr Billson said the transition to digital was the most important strategic issue facing Australian radio since the introduction of FM.

Digitisation was transforming all media and radio was the last significant medium to remain analogue-only.

Mr Billson said digital radio would supplement existing analogue radio for a considerable time and may never completely replace it.

The government would not enforce an unrealistic and costly conversion from analogue.

Mr Billson said the first services would use the European Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard, the most widely used system internationally and for which a wide range of reasonably priced receivers was available.

DAB, unlike analogue radio, uses a multiplex on which a number of services can be broadcast on one frequency channel.

To give commercial broadcasters stability, there would be a six year moratorium on new digital licences after broadcasting began in each licence area.

While digital services would start in the capitals, the government was committed to the service being extended to rural and remote Australia.

Mr Billson said a specific multiplex transmitter licence would accommodate the digital radio services of the ABC and SBS.

He said the national broadcasters should play a key role in driving consumer take-up of digital radio.

The new system would be reviewed by 2011.

"The bill cements radio's important position in the Australian media landscape, providing industry with the opportunity to invest in innovative new digital content and provide listeners with a rich and more diverse radio offering," Mr Billson said.

Debate was adjourned.

Posted
sorry that particular bill is purely about digital radio licencesing and handing out of licenses by the ACMA, but has absolutely nothign to do with the bill introduced into the house of representatives as reported by smarthouse and outlinging that "the first services would use the uropean Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard, the most widely used system internationally and for which a wide range of reasonably priced receivers was available "

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Accessories/Sound/A8D4F9C4

Well that's the only bill in relation to digital radio which is on the parliament's website.

Yes, the minister did say...

These first digital radio services will be deployed using the European digital audio broadcasting or DAB standard, which is the most widely deployed terrestrial digital radio system internationally and, importantly for a small market like Australia, for which a wide range of reasonably priced, consumer receivers are available.

But that article excludes the next sentence of his speech...

While the government favours an industry based approach to developing technical standards, the bill provides the ACMA with the power to determine such standards in relation to digital radio where necessary.

He states that the technical standards are still being developed, they are not in the bill itself and that it will be decided by the industry in association with the ACMA. Since the Government (Communications Minister Coonan), the CBAA and the CRA are all in favour of AAC+ being used on DAB, it would only be logical to come to the conclusion that we will be using AAC+ on DAB.

Also, the new AAC+ codec is to be used on the "European DAB platform", so what the minister said doesn't contradict the usage of AAC+. I think that instead, he is referring to that fact that rural areas might be using DRM instead of DAB, as DAB is unable to provide the large area coverage that AM stations currently do. DRM trials are also currently being carried out on the existing broadcast AM band.

This is a quote from Broadcast Australia which actually runs the digital multiplexes...

The MPEG-4 audio coding standard is significantly more efficient than the MPEG-1, Layer II standard currently utilised in the trials – it offers at least twice the number of services at a better than FM quality. MPEG-4 audio will form the standard adopted by Australia. Existing MEPG-1, Layer 2 receivers which were introduced in small numbers for the purpose of market research during the trials will be rendered obsolete.

That article says outright that Australia will adopt DAB with the AAC+ codec and that the existing decoders will be "rendered obsolete". The article you quote doesn't actually say they won't be using AAC+ on the DAB platform, the bill simply doesn't go into the technical details of compression.

I don't see why they would adopt DAB with MPEG audio when they've been going on for ages how it wouldn't be possible to fit in all the stations in crowded markets such as Sydney or Melbourne and how the system is severely outdated. It just wouldn't make any sense. The article you keep quoting doesn't even spell 'century' correctly...

Posted
Well that's the only bill in relation to digital radio which is on the parliament's website.

Yes, the minister did say...

But that article excludes the next sentence of his speech...

He states that the technical standards are still being developed, they are not in the bill itself and that it will be decided by the industry in association with the ACMA. Since the Government (Communications Minister Coonan), the CBAA and the CRA are all in favour of AAC+ being used on DAB, it would only be logical to come to the conclusion that we will be using AAC+ on DAB.

Also, the new AAC+ codec is to be used on the "European DAB platform", so what the minister said doesn't contradict the usage of AAC+. I think that instead, he is referring to that fact that rural areas might be using DRM instead of DAB, as DAB is unable to provide the large area coverage that AM stations currently do. DRM trials are also currently being carried out on the existing broadcast AM band.

This is a quote from Broadcast Australia which actually runs the digital multiplexes...

That article says outright that Australia will adopt DAB with the AAC+ codec and that the existing decoders will be "rendered obsolete". The article you quote doesn't actually say they won't be using AAC+ on the DAB platform, the bill simply doesn't go into the technical details of compression.

I don't see why they would adopt DAB with MPEG audio when they've been going on for ages how it wouldn't be possible to fit in all the stations in crowded markets such as Sydney or Melbourne and how the system is severely outdated. It just wouldn't make any sense. The article you keep quoting doesn't even spell 'century' correctly...

well sorry I am yet to see anything later than the article I posted that says any different or anything in relation to all you say.

also for the life of me cannot imagine why if dab is good enough for the congested airways of the tuk and europe is not goign to be good enough for our very sparse radio broadcast.

if you or anyone infact have somethign later in relation to all what you say do post a link or reference. I sure will be interested to read.

Posted

if you want to have a read what the bill says and what was discussed in parliament perhaps have a read of whats below. sent through to me thanks to another forum member :blink:

http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/view_d...RDR&TARGET=

please note the highlights ! in regards the DAB using "European digital audio broadcasting or DAB standard, which is the most widely deployed terrestrial digital radio system internationally and, importantly for a small market like Australia, for which a wide range of reasonably priced, consumer receivers are available"

also please take note the role of the ACMA, it is only in relations to developing the technical standards and developing and registering codes of practice.

BROADCASTING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DIGITAL RADIO) BILL 2007

Second Reading

Speech

Mr BILLSON (Dunkley—Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) (9.31 a.m.)—I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The transition to digital is the arguably the most important strategic issue facing Australian radio since the introduction of FM services in the 1970s and early eighties.

Radio broadcasting has an established and unique position in the Australian media landscape. It is the most ubiquitous of all media, being found in virtually every home, car and workplace in the country.

Digitisation is transforming all media and communications sectors, enabling the delivery of a common range of audiovisual, entertainment and information services to an increasingly more engaged, demanding and fragmented audience. This is no more evident than in radio, where evolving digital technologies—such as MP3 players, iPods and other hand-held digital audio devices—are changing listening patterns and reshaping the way audio content is created, distributed and consumed.

In this context, it is notable that radio is the last significant broadcasting platform to remain analog only.

The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2007 provides radio with the opportunity to build upon its existing strengths and define its position in the emerging digital landscape. By encouraging the delivery of a range of new and innovative digital services, this legislation will advance the potential consumer benefits of digital radio and enhance the high-quality radio services already enjoyed by millions of Australians every day.

I now turn to the substance of the bill.

The bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, Radiocommunications Act 1992 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to enable the licensing, planning and regulation of digital radio services. It also provides sufficient powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to undertake such activities.

These amendments implement the government’s policy framework for the introduction of digital radio services that was announced in October 2005. The key premise of the framework is that digital radio will supplement existing analog radio services for a considerable period, and may never be a complete replacement. This is the clear message to emerge from the experience with digital radio overseas and from the research and consultations undertaken to support the development of this policy framework.

While most countries to have introduced digital radio anticipate that it will eventually replace analog services, none have done so with a firm expectation of an analog switch-off. Analog radio shutdown is a long-term prospect at best, with the dual operation of analog and digital likely to continue for a significant period. In recognition of this, the bill provides for a progressive transition to digital radio, without seeking to mandate an unrealistic and costly conversion from analog.

The first digital radio broadcasts are expected to occur in the state capital city markets by 1 January 2009. To this end, the bill amends existing licence categories for commercial and community radio broadcasting to authorise the provision of digital radio services.

The participation of commercial, national and community broadcasters in the first phase of digital radio implementation recognises that the strength of Australian radio over recent decades has been based, in no small part, on the individual contributions made by each of these sectors. Diversity of services will be as important to the success of digital radio as it has been in analog, and the involvement of each of these sectors will ensure that the new platform can capitalise on the established skills and brand names of existing broadcasters.

These first digital radio services will be deployed using the European digital audio broadcasting or DAB standard, which is the most widely deployed terrestrial digital radio system internationally and, importantly for a small market like Australia, for which a wide range of reasonably priced, consumer receivers are available.

While the government favours an industry based approach to developing technical standards, the bill provides the ACMA with the power to determine such standards in relation to digital radio where necessary. ACMA will also be provided with the power to require industry to develop and register codes of practice relating to a range of digital radio issues and determine standards where these codes do not operate effectively. These measures will help ensure that consumers are appropriately protected as this new technology is introduced.

While digital radio services will initially be introduced in the state capital cities, listeners outside the state capitals have not been overlooked. The government remains committed to ensuring equitable access to new services in broadcasting for people living in rural and remote Australia, and commercial broadcasters in regional markets will be provided with the opportunity to commence DAB services should they wish to do so.

The bill also provides for a statutory review of issues surrounding the development of technologies that may be better suited to rollout in regional areas. This review, due to occur by 2011, will provide a timely consideration of the opportunities for regional digital radio in the context of the development of the platform in metropolitan areas as well as internationally.

To provide a measure of stability and certainty for the commercial broadcasters as they rollout digital radio transmission infrastructure and commence broadcasts, the bill introduces a six-year moratorium on the issue of new licence area planned commercial digital radio licences from the commencement of services in the respective markets. This moratorium gives effect to the government’s 2004 election commitments and is consistent with the period of legislative protection provided for digital television.

However, the moratorium will be contingent upon each of the incumbent commercial radio broadcasting licensees commencing at least one digital radio service in the relevant market and continuing to provide such a service for the duration of the moratorium. Failure by any licensee to meet this requirement will result in the licensee forfeiting their right to provide digital radio services and will require the regulator to issue a new digital commercial radio licence for the licence area in question. This obligation will ensure that the commercial industry is provided with appropriate incentives to make the most of the opportunity to digitise provided in this bill.

The bill also provides for a statutory review of the regulatory regime for digital radio, to occur before the end of the moratorium.

In relation to the community radio sector, the bill will authorise the provision of digital radio by those community stations whose licence area is the same as the licence area for the commercial radio services in the market. These services are known as wide-coverage community radio broadcasters. The bill provides for these broadcasters to form a representative company to take up the opportunity to operate in digital on a collective and equitable basis.

The introduction of the DAB standard involves a new approach to the transmission of radio services. The DAB digital radio system utilises a multiplex to aggregate a number of radio services for transmission on the one frequency channel. While generally more spectrum efficient, this approach marks a departure from analog radio where one service corresponds to one frequency channel.

To accommodate these new transmission arrangements, the bill establishes a new multiplex transmitter licence category. In the case of commercial and community broadcasters, the first multiplex transmitter licences will be issued via an equitable, election based process, providing current broadcasters with the opportunity to form a company to jointly hold the licence for their services for an administrative charge only.

This is consistent with arrangements for analog radio and digital television where broadcasters manage the transmission of their services and control the associated spectrum. Any further allocation of multiplex transmitter licences for digital commercial and community radio broadcasting services in an area will be via a price based system.

Separately, the bill creates a specific category of multiplex transmitter licence to accommodate the digital radio services of the national broadcasters—the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)—and provides for the reservation of frequency channel capacity for this purpose. This recognises the key role that the ABC and SBS may be able to play in driving consumer take up of digital radio, and will ensure the ABC and SBS have access to spectrum to provide a comparable range of digital services throughout Australia as the technology is progressively introduced.

The digital radio services provided using multiplex transmitter licences will be subject to existing content regulation arrangements administered by ACMA applying to analog radio services, including codes of practice, standards and licence conditions. With these safeguards in place, the bill provides broadcasters with the scope and stimulus to develop innovative new digital radio programming likely to be essential for the take up of the new platform.

Commercial and community radio broadcasting licensees, together with the national broadcasters, will be permitted to provide multiple digital radio services, rather than a single stream of radio content. This harnesses the potential of the DAB standard to expand the range of radio services in a spectrum efficient manner, enabling broadcasters to provide a wide range of programming responsive to audience needs.

The delivery of unique-to-digital content has been seen to be critical in driving consumer interest in digital radio in many overseas markets. As such, there will also be no requirement for these broadcasters to simulcast their existing analog services in digital, although some broadcasters may choose to do so. However, the bill will require that any additional multiplex capacity acquired by commercial radio broadcasters, beyond the initial ninth of a multiplex to which they are entitled, must be used to provide essentially new services.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new category of restricted datacasting licence to enable the use of the digital radio platform to offer new, non-traditional radio services, including text, data, images and related content. This provides an appropriate pathway for new entrants to digital radio during the moratorium period, and enables innovative, new digital services to emerge in response to consumer needs.

The introduction of the DAB multiplex raises a number of unique competition and access issues that are not present in analog. With limited available spectrum for digital radio, multiplex transmitter licensees have the potential to act as gatekeepers in accessing digital radio transmission facilities in any market, with the power to set terms and conditions of access which may be unreasonable or discriminatory.

To address this concern, the bill introduces an access regime that is designed to ensure efficient, open and generally non-discriminatory access to digital radio multiplexes. The regime will require multiplex transmitter licensees providing commercial or wide-coverage community radio broadcasting services to develop and obtain approval from the ACCC for undertakings setting out the terms and conditions of access to multiplex capacity. These undertakings will be enforceable by an order made by the Federal Court.

Multiplex transmitter licensees will also be required to abide by a set of obligations relating to the use and distribution of multiplex capacity. Each incumbent digital commercial radio licensee will have an opportunity to access one-ninth of the multiplex capacity on transmitter licences issued to provide the digital radio services of incumbent broadcasters (known as foundation multiplex licences). These access rights are referred to as standard access entitlements.

Community broadcasters will also have an opportunity to access multiplex capacity through standard access entitlements. The bill enables the community broadcasting representative companies to nominate licensees to hold up to two-ninths of the multiplex capacity on any foundation licence. These standard access entitlements provide incumbent broadcasters with surety of access to multiplex capacity for their digital radio services, irrespective of whether or not they choose to control the relevant foundation multiplex licence.

In addition, the bill establishes obligations for the distribution of multiplex capacity not constituting part of standard access entitlements in a fair and open manner. It also sets out a requirement for multiplex licensees to uphold the technical and operating quality of services on a non-discriminatory basis. These obligations will be enforceable by an order or injunction made by the Federal Court.

Taken as a whole, the measures contained in this bill provide a sound basis for the introduction of digital radio broadcasting in Australia. The bill cements radio’s important position in the Australian media landscape, providing industry with the opportunity to invest in innovative new digital content and provide listeners with a rich and more diverse radio offering. I commend the bill to the House.

Interjection

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jenkins)—I thank the minister. After that heroic effort, I thought he might conclude by giving us a reference to where we could access an iPod of his speech.

Debate (on motion by Dr Emerson) adjourned.

and also please note at no time has there been any mention of utilising the AAC+ codec infact its pretty specific as to what DAB we will get. one which is used widely with affordable receivers already available.

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