IFA, Berlin, Germany. European digital radio markets came together today to announce support for the newly published ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) Euro standard for DAB digital radio.
This standard has been agreed as the Minimum Specification for DAB digital radio receivers across Europe and is supported by WorldDAB and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as well as broadcasters and manufacturers in Germany, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. This support means that broadcasters and broadcast groups will be recommending to manufacturers and retailers that their products meet the ETSI standard.
The European DAB standard benefits consumers as it requires radio receivers to support both DAB+ and DAB, as well as FM. It sets out minimum requirements, including receiver sensitivity, to ensure that receivers can pick-up all available broadcast DAB radio stations.
Many leading European radio manufacturers including Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Pure, Roberts, Ruark, Pioneer and Kenwood will be making radios to the new Euro Standard and further manufacturers in key European markets are planning to adopt the standard.
Manufacturers with DAB products that meet the Euro Standard can opt to use the Digital Radio Tick Mark on their products, packaging and promotions. This is a certification mark giving consumers reassurance that the product meets a minimum level of performance and that it has been tested and approved. There are now over 20 manufacturers using the Digital Radio Tick Mark and the logo appears on product and packaging for DAB radios distributed across European markets. Markets supporting the Tick Mark include the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. Also at IFA, major Norwegian manufacturer Tiny committed to making future radios to meet the European Standard and use the Tick Mark.
The ETSI TS 103 461 standard is already published and is a ratification of the European Specification that was already supporting the Digital Radio Tick Mark. The ETSI standard includes a link to the ETI files needed to test receiver products. The ETI files required to test the core technology will be made available by Digital Radio UK in 2018.
Patrick Hannon, President, WorldDAB, said: “The adoption of a European Standard for DAB receivers and the growing international support for the Tick Mark, are important steps forward for DAB radio in Europe. These developments are clear evidence of the growing maturity of the sector.”
Graham Dixon, Head of Radio, European Broadcasting Union, said: “The establishment of an ETSI standard for the testing and approval of digital radio receivers is an important milestone in the adoption of DAB technology across Europe, providing clarity and consistency for manufacturers, broadcasters and consumers alike.”
Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: “This is a big day for radio and for DAB right across Europe. Broader support for the common Euro standard for DAB and the Tick Mark will help regional manufacturers develop new innovative DAB products and accelerate the European take up of DAB.”
Jacqueline Bierhorst, Project Director of Digital Radio Netherlands, said: “As digital radio becomes increasingly popular in the Netherlands, it’s great news to see the introduction of common standard for Europe, giving listeners reassurance that product has been tested and approved.”
Thomas Saner, Senior Advisor at SRG SSR, said: “We will support the introduction of the Digital Radio Tick Mark in Switzerland and we encourage manufacturers to test and approve against the European standard and display the corresponding Tick Mark on product packaging.”
Paul Smith, CEO, Pure, said: “All of our radios sold across Europe for both the home and the car have the Digital Radio Tick Mark as standard, which we highlight on our packaging. In key markets, such as Norway and Switzerland, we have seen a phenomenal increase in DAB+ sales, and we expect to see this growth continue in other European markets.”
Tom Vedvik, Owner of Tiny Audio, said: “We welcome the establishment of a clear Euro standard for DAB and going forward plan to build our DAB radios to meet the ETSI standard as well as including the Digital Radio Tick Mark on packaging. It’s great that there is a coordinated European approach to DAB which together with strong country promotion of DAB and switchover in lead markets will mean that European DAB sales will continue to surge.”