UK needs L-band roadmap to keep lead in DAB technology

The UK must not be allowed to lose its leading position in digital radio technology as the industry looks for additional bandwidth for the introduction of new types of non-audio multimedia services, according to Radioscape.

Nigel Oakley, v-p of marketing at Radioscape, said the industry is looking at ways to use digital audio broadcast (DAB) transmitters and receivers to broadcast data and video services. “This is already happening in Korea, and the UK needs to ensure it maintains its leading position in digital radio with the rollout of new types of broadcast services,” said Oakley.

An issue is the bandwidth limit of around 200kbit/s per transmitter multiplex forced on the industry by spectrum availability in the band, known as Band III, used for UK DAB broadcasts.

Oakley said the industry would welcome the early licensing of an additional chunk of spectrum at 1.4GHz, known as L-band, which would increase available bandwidth for broadcasts to 1Mbit/s.

“The UK requires a clear roadmap for the introduction of L-band services,” said Oakley.

Currently the Government has said this should happen in 2007, Oakley said the industry would like to see it happen sooner.

The UK leads the world in all areas of DAB Digital Radio with the most broadcasters, products, retailers and listeners. According to World DAB there are 478,000 DAB radios in UK homes, and is expected to exceed one million by the end of 2004.

Back in 1999 the Government allowed the BBC to re-invest part of the £600m raised from the sale of its transmission arm to kick-start a digital audio broadcasting programme.

Even earlier than that the Government offered the incentive of a licence extension to all radio broadcasters which had a plan to introduce new digital services.