Digital radio switchover on track for 2015By Ben Fenton, Chief Media CorrespondentJuly 7 2010The government will confirm on Thursday that it is to press ahead with the timetable for the switchover to digital radio broadcasting by 2015, as foreseen by the last administration.No date for switching off FM and AM transmitters was set out in the Digital Economy Act that went through parliament in the last days of Gordon Brown’s government.But in a speech on Thursday, Ed Vaizey, the culture minister, will confirm that the government will move along the same timescale, in spite of an acknowledgement that this will make him unpopular. Although the move has the support of the bulk of commercial radio operators, some companies, together with consumer groups and politicians, have voiced strong doubts about what they see as a hurried schedule.In March the House of Lords communications committee expressed reservations about the plans, saying they were “not convinced that listener and consumer behaviour will follow the same path as digital television”. The switch-off of analogue signals for television broadcast will be completed by early 2013 and has so far gone smoothly and come in well under budget.Opponents of switching off the FM and AM signals say that the cost to consumers will run into the billions, that the existing signal is superior in both quality and the geographical extent of coverage and that the cost of converting cars to DAB, the digital radio standard, will be £300 each. Although there is unlikely to be a date announced for switching off the analogue radio signal, commercial companies and the BBC will be barred from using it.When originally proposed in the Digital Britain report by Lord Carter, the switchover date was not set but it said that a two-year lead-up period to switching off the analogue signal would not begin until stringent criteria for the breadth and quality of coverage had been met. This was thought likely to have happened by 2015. Unlike the ending of the analogue television signal, there is no “digital dividend” from turning off FM and AM, which will in some cases continue to be used for ultra-local stations, because the part of the broadcasting spectrum they used has very limited alternative use.
SENIOR CONSERVATIVE WARNS ABOUT DIGITAL RADIO SWITCHOVERLord Norman Fowler warned of a backlash from pensioners if the coalition continue with Labour's planJuly 4,2010By Exclusive by Ted JeoryTHE government will face "an explosion of indignation" from pensioners and millions of motorists if it sticks to Labour plans to switch off FM and medium wave radio in favour patchy digital signals in 2015, a senior Tory warned last night.Lord Norman Fowler, a cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher, said the country was hugely unprepared for the digital radio switchover, which the Government is expected to announce next week will take place in five years’ time. More than 20million cars will face radio blackout from their favourite stations, such as BBC’s Five Live, because the technology is "simply not ready", he said.Motorists will either have to replace their car radios at a cost of some £300 or buy special “conversion” kits that must be attached to the windscreen, often alongside Satnavs.Within people’s homes, more than 100million existing analogue radios will also become obsolete. Lord Fowler, chair of the Lords Communications Committee, said that would particularly hit older people. He said: “These are people who do a lot of radio listening and if you’ve got four or five radios dotted around the house, then replacing them means the cost adds up. The public have got to be taken with the process on this otherwise there is going to be something of an explosion of indignation.” He said the new coalition Government was stuck between a “rock and hard place” after being “landed” with the problem by Labour, which planned to sell freed up FM airwaves to telecoms companies.Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce next week the latest “roadmap” for Britain’s digital switchover, but a Whitehall source told the Sunday Express that the minister would stick to Labour’s ambitious timetable. However, the source added that Mr Hunt would emphasise the urgent need to properly inform the public about the plans.Lord Fowler said that while most people were aware of the planned switchover for digital television, far fewer were unaware of the significance for radio. “I don’t think people yet realise how big this will be,” he said. “There’s a lot of convincing still to be done. A lot of people simply don’t want the change or see the need for it.” Although digital allows more stations to broadcast, reception, particularly in cars, is currently unreliable.A new generation of radio transmitters costing millions of pounds of public money, much of it financed by the BBC, is needed. The Government is also likely to “encourage” vehicle manufacturers to fit digital radios in all new cars by 2013.
64TH EBU General Assembly Baku, AzerbaijanDeclaration on freedom of expression, media independence and democracy2 July 2010ContextThe EBU’s 64th General Assembly, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the invitation of the national broadcaster Ictimai, focused in particular on two key principles of public service media: freedom of expression and information, and freedom and pluralism of the media. The EBU has defended these principles, and their corollary, the editorial independence and institutional autonomy of public service media, ever since its foundation 60 years ago, and they are enshrined in Article 1 of the Union’s Statutes.(1)Following discussions in the General Assembly on how to guarantee and enhance impartial reporting and quality journalism, the 150 delegates adopted the following declaration:- The EBU calls for freedom of expression and freedom and pluralism of the media to be respected everywhere, and specifically in all countries represented in the EBU’s Membership(2), in line with the Council of Europe's European Convention on Human Rights (Art 10).The EBU notes that:- The right to freedom of expression and information takes precedence over political or economic interests, and States have a duty to ensure and protect this fundamental cornerstone of democracy,- All members of the Council of Europe, including Azerbaijan, have committed themselves to respect the European Convention on Human Rights(ECHR),- Azerbaijan’s media laws aim to ensure greater media freedom in the country than in the past, and the establishment of Ictimai following Azerbaijan’s admission to the Council of Europe has helped to improve the quality of journalism.However, reflecting concerns expressed by its Members, the EBU:- Condemns arrests, harassment and intimidation of journalists and calls upon governments to investigate all instances of violence against journalists and bring to justice those responsible;- Calls on authorities to respect the rulings of the ECHR and to resolve all cases against journalists through fair, transparent procedures in line with international legal standards(3);- Demands that legislators and authorities develop amendments to the criminal code so as to decriminalize defamation, and to refrain from bringing any new criminal prosecutions against journalists for defamation;- Calls upon all governments to take concrete steps to create an environment conducive to freedom of expression, including by preventing the abuse of defamation laws and other legal provisions to silence critical voices;- Calls on all governments to avoid undue government regulation and interference with freedom of expression, and stresses that censorship and jamming of broadcaster signals have no place in a democratic society;- Urges governments to create conditions for freedom of expression on all media platforms, to ensure impartial and independent journalism, including reporting by independent journalists, and full and open democratic debate without interference from authorities or fear of violence or other forms of intimidation;- Recalls that the Internet and social media networks are crucial to media pluralism in a democratic society and urges all governments to respect the freedom of individuals to express themselves through these networks.(4)The EBU recognizes further that media freedom must go hand in hand with media responsibility and with journalists acting in line with our professional standards and values.It pledges to support the development of fair and balanced quality journalism within Ictimai, as also within all its other Members, through the organization of training, professional discussion and the exchange of best practices.Finally, the EBU supports its Members unreservedly in ensuring that the principles contained within this declaration are respected in their countries.Editor's notes:(1) Statutes of the European Broadcasting Union, Art. 1(2): "The purpose of the EBU is to contribute, in the field of broadcasting, to:(a) promoting and developing the concept and values of public service broadcasting (i.e. radio, television and other electronic media);(b) safeguarding and improving freedom of expression and information, which is one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the fundamental conditions for its progress and for the development of every individual;(c) enhancing the freedom and pluralism of the media, the free flow of information and ideas, and the free formation of opinions;(d) employing and developing information and communication technology as a means to further the right, regardless of frontiers, to express, seek, receive and impart information and ideas, whatever their source;(e) developing cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and exchanges in conditions which safeguard such fundamental values as tolerance and solidarity;(f) protecting and promoting Europe’s cultural heritage and the development of its audiovisual creation by offering an increasing choice of programmes and services;(g) reinforcing the identity of the peoples, social cohesion and the integration of all individuals, groups and communities;(h) fulfilling the public’s expectations in the information, educational, cultural and entertainment fields through the production and dissemination of a diversified range of high-quality programmes."(2) List of EBU Members’ countries: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Vatican State(3) EU statement on Media Freedom in Azerbaijan, OSCE Permanent Council No. 794, Vienna, 10 February 2010 http://www.delvie.ec.europa.eu/en/eu_osce/eu_statements/2010/February/PC%20no.794%20- %20EU%20on%20media%20freedom%20in%20AZE.pdf.(4) EU Declaration by HR Ashton on World Press Freedom Day - 3 May 2010 http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/en/article_9712_en.htm. "The European Union recalls the consensus reached at the Human Rights Council on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, which recognises the importance of the Internet in the exercise, promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. It urges all States to take all necessary measures to guarantee that the right of freedom of expression in all its forms is respected through respect for international human rights standards and in cooperation with all relevant international actors."
Currently two fundamental approaches to radio distribution may be observed1) Broadcast• Access to listeners is direct and not though a third party• Strict regulation of content and access to distribution mechanisms• One to many delivery - highly efficient for large audiences• Free to air for the listener• Access to spectrum is crucial• Defined quality of service2) Broadband• Flexibility and interactivity• Potential for Worldwide coverage• Subscription needed for reception (not free to air)• ‘Gatekeeper’ can exercise absolute control• Best effort quality of service – dependant on traffic
ARD und Deutschlandradio bekommen grünes Licht für DAB+KEF genehmigt Finanzbedarf für digitalen Rundfunk unter Auflagen25.06.2010Zweimal hatte das Gremium die Genehmigung verweigert. Doch nach einem einstimmigen Beschluss hat die Kommission zur Feststellung des Finanzbedarfs der Rundfunkanstalten (KEF) diesmal den Finanzbedarf des Deutschlandradios und der ARD im Bezug auf den Neustart des digitalen terrestrischen Hörfunk im DAB+-Modus unter Bedingungen anerkannt. Die Gelder werden genehmigt, wenn sich die ARD bereit erklärt künftig auf die kostspieligen AM-Sender, also Mittel-, Lang- und Kurzwelle, zu verzichten.ARD und Deutschlandradio werden vom Gremium aufgefordert, zur Sitzung der KEF im September 2010 Aussagen zur Abschaltung der AM-Sender zu machen. Die Kommission wird prüfen, inwieweit der Weiterbetrieb dieser Sender, insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der Entwicklung des Internetradios und des digitalen terrestrischen Hörfunks, noch wirtschaftlich ist. In der Tat ist inzwischen auch im Ausland die Internetversorgung vielerorts gewährleistet, so dass ein Weiterbetrieb der reichweitenstarken, aber kostspieligen AM-Sender fraglich ist. Einige ARD-Anstalten wie der Hessische Rundfunk und Radio Bremen haben die Mittelwellensender bereits abgeschaltet, und auch der Südwestfunk verzichtet auf einige Kleinleistungssender in Baden-Württemberg.Als "wichtigen, weil unverzichtbaren Schritt zur Einführung von bundesweitem Digitalradio" hat der Hörfunkbeauftragte der Direktorenkonferenz der Landesmedienanstalten (DLM), Dr. Gerd Bauer, den heutigen Beschluss der KEF gewürdigt. "Die Landesmedienanstalten wollten in Bezug auf einen erfolgreichen Neustart von Digitalradio in Deutschland immer zweierlei: eine gemeinsame Nutzung des bundesweiten Multiplex durch Deutschlandradio und private Hörfunkveranstalter ebenso wie eine digitale Hörfunkzukunft, in der bundesweite neben regionalen Angeboten verbreitet werden. Beides wird durch die heutige Beschlussfassung der KEF ermöglicht. Insoweit ist der heutige Tag ein guter Tag für die Digitalisierung des Rundfunks in Deutschland", so Bauer.
Cognitive radio in Nokia Research Center’s pipelineBy Rhiain on 28 June 2010ESPOO, Finland – Free bandwidth is shrinking fast. With more and more of us bagging smartphones, it’ll soon become a bit of a bun fight to watch videos, send emails and make calls everywhere and anywhere. According to a recent study by Informa, mobile internet traffic handled by mobile operators will grow from seven billion megabytes worldwide (in 2008) into 63 billion megabytes in 2013. The answer? Cognitive radio, according to Nokia Research Center. No idea what cognitive radio is? Neither did we, till yesterday. Read on to find out more.NRC, famed for their skill to look into the future, has foreseen that we need to avoid our mobile data traffic turning into a total gridlock. Cognitive radio will make using data-intensive services much quicker. So, watching videos from web, finding where you are in the world, sending a Tweet about a celebrity spotting or updating your Facebook status will be a cinch; even if you’re surrounded by the Tweetaholics of this world.So, what exactly is it? Here’s the skinny: cognitive radio can sense and understand its environment and use that knowledge to serve users better. Meaning, if you’re in an area saturated with intense mobile users and you fancy catching up on some HD video goodness, cognitive radio will look for additional bandwidth, or provide optimal service continuity for mobile users.Nokia Research Center has been beavering away on projects concerning cognitive radio and it hopes, in the future, it’ll form the basis for communication technology. A couple of months ago, at the Open Innovation event in Tampere, we saw the first example of an app using the tech in the form of Nokia Instant Community. But there’s so much more to come, and I for one am excited. Along with Nokia Instant Community, NRC is also working on spectrum sensing and software defined radio. All the research is clearly a step towards solving the problems that we’ll face in the future as we go smartphone mad.All sound a bit technical? Well, that’s because it is. But luckily, NRC has created the handy video below to explain the tech wizardry.Will we see a difference in our phones? Nope, it’ll just nuzzle in the phones we already have, and happily work away to make our phone experience better. Sounds good to us. What do you guys think? Let us know in the comments below. For more information head over to the Nokia Research Center website.
