1. Introduction

DAB+ has evolved to become the preeminent broadcast digital radio standard, with many countries around the world adopting it. While adoption is spearheaded in Europe, where most countries now have permanent transmissions, there are many other countries which are just beginning the journey.

This e-book provides a guide for the steps that are usually followed to adopt and roll out DAB+ as a national standard and primary digital radio service. It provides a guide for all stakeholders in the radio ecosystem, including broadcasters and content providers, regulators and government organisations, network infrastructure equipment and service providers, receiver manufacturers and suppliers, including the automotive market and other service providers.

Every country is different and consequently the order and duration of the development phases described below vary considerably. The activities, however, are consistent while the interaction between phases is flexible.

An important theme across all phases of the adoption process is stakeholder engagement, which is critical to ensuring that the entire radio ecosystem achieves the wide range of benefits that DAB+ digital radio offers.

This e-book provides a structured approach to the adoption process, from the initial investigations that broadcasters and regulators undertake, through demonstrations, business case development, formal adoption, including legislation and licensing, system design, including multiplexing and transmission networks, rollout and finally the long-term operating perspective.

The status of DAB adoption is provided in the map shown in Figure 1-1. While most European countries now have DAB+ services, coverage and services numbers continue to grow. There are increasing activities for adoption in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regions.

Countries with regular service

Countries with trials and/or regulation

Countries with interest