WorldDAB has announced it will run a DAB+ information workshop at MedPi 2019 – taking place in Paris from April 2 to 4.
MedPi is a three-day business event taking place annually in France. This year's event is designed to help buyers select product ranges to be carried by the various consumer distribution networks.
The workshop, jointly organised by MedPi and WorldDAB, will take place on April 3, and will focus on the accelerated deployment of DAB+ digital radio in France and how retailers can benefit from new business opportunities represented by the growing DAB+ market.
The WorldDAB workshop will be an opportunity for retailers to:
• Find out about EU and French regulations concerning DAB+ digital radio
• Discover and discuss business and retail opportunities related to DAB+ in 2020 and beyond
• Learn how to communicate about DAB+ to end users and improve consumer recognition of DAB+ using the new DAB+ logo and full branding toolkit
In December 2018 the European Commission adopted a new directive stating that all new cars sold within the European Union will be required to include DAB+ digital radio as standard from December 2020. This law, which will enable drivers to benefit from digital services throughout Europe in their new car, requires each EU Member State to introduce by the end of 2020 draft its own, national legislation to ensure the directive is complied with.
France has already triggered its own national regulation complying with the directive following the launches of DAB+ in Lyon and Strasbourg in December 2018. According to the French regulation all new consumer radios sold by the end of 2019 are to include DAB+, while automotive receivers have until of June 2020 to comply with the legislation.
“DAB+ has made significant progress both in Europe and in France over the last year, and this is reflected by the introduction of new regulations promoting the adoption of DAB+ digital radio“, commented WorldDAB's Jean-Marc Dubreuil. “The objective of the WorldDAB workshop at MedPi is to help retailers realise the business opportunities and potential of DAB+ digital radio, and provide some guidance as to how they can effectively communicate the DAB+ message and the changing nature of radio to consumers”.
Currently available to over 20% of the population of France, DAB+ is now being launched across the country, with 70% of the population expected to be covered by the end of 2020. This creates an enormous opportunity for retailers and receiver manufacturers in a market that totals five million units sold per year.