SA to trial digital radio
21 August 2013
News
Over 200 radio industry representatives came together in July to discuss plans for a South African trial of digital radio broadcasts, using the DAB+ standard. The trial is scheduled to run for a year starting from February 2014 and will primarily cover the Johannesburg and Pretoria areas.
Delegates attending the workshop included representatives from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the Department of Communications, public and commercial broadcasters, policy makers, network operator Sentech, device and automotive manufacturers. The event was endorsed by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association and South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Digital radio broadcasts are in no way related to digital television (DTV) and the trial will take place irrespective of what happens regarding the oft-delayed switchover to DTV signals. There is also no deadline for a switch to digital radio; this trial is intended purely to serve as an opportunity for broadcasters and other stakeholders to come to terms with the technology and its capabilities.
According to Dave Cherry, technical manager at Classic FM and the man chairing the DAB+ trial task group, the technology provides several advantages over frequency modulated (FM) broadcasts, such as data capabilities which can be used for advertising, educational services, traffic information and many more. It also takes advantage of multiple signal paths and reflections to provide better reception in so-called ‘urban canyons’.
DAB+ and its predecessor, DAB, are already in use in several European countries and DAB+ is strongly entrenched in Australia, with many more countries planning trials in the coming years. It is seen as one of the leading digital standards poised to succeed the increasingly congested FM bands in many developed countries.
South Africa’s initial one-year trial will not be marketed to consumers but those with a DAB+ receiver in the Gauteng area will be able to pick up the signals over the trial period. Sentech has committed to transmit the DAB+ signals free of charge and twenty or more broadcasters, including the major national stations and community broadcasters, are expected to take part.
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version