At the end of November, Les Sabel of WorldDAB hosted a workshop on DAB+ digital radio in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, with 28 attendees from 12 different countries.

The workshop was hosted in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU).

It brought together broadcasters from across the MENA and AsiaPac regions at all stages of digital radio development.

With DAB+ trials now on-air in Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia, strong interest in Thailand and regular services rolled out in Australia and Hong Kong, broadcasters in the region are focusing more on DAB+.

In the MENA region, Kuwait is preparing for the second phase of a DAB+ trial and a decision regarding commercial roll out is expected once all trials have been completed.

In the UAE, following a recent DAB+ trial, the TRA (Telecoms Regulation Authority) is working towards a commercial launch of DAB+ and has initiated industry consultation on DAB+ receiver specifications.

The workshop covered DAB+’s background, the path to getting services on air, regulation required and looked forward to the future with hybrid radio and the potential to deliver images and information to listeners at home and on the move.

It also looked at DAB developments around the world, particularly in the automotive sector as more manufacturers fit DAB+ as standard, and Norway heading to the world’s first digital switchover.

The workshop also included several sessions on system design from head-end networks to RF coverage and interference planning.