Six DRM-configured transmitters to be installed in India as part of
transition to digitalIndia's public radio and television broadcaster Prasar Bharati has issued orders for six Nautel NX Series 300 kW medium wave transmitters configured for DRM30 transmission. The purchase is part of All India Radio's (AIR) plans to upgrade facilities throughout India to DRM30 digital broadcasting
The DRM digitisation implementation will allow AIR to also use alternative platforms such as podcasting, SMS, webcasting and mobile service. AIR also intends to offer a 24-hour news channel along with other programming. Additional services such as Interactive Text Transmission and disaster warning alerts are also planned.
Hal Kneller, Nautel Regional Sales Manager - Europe and Africa. "As a member of the DRM Consortium executive and steering boards, it thrills me that Nautel has been chosen to bring India into the age of digital radio with this technology. Not only will listeners hear high quality sound on
AM broadcasts, they will also enjoy many of the multi- media features that DRM has to offer. Millions of DRM receivers will now be in demand!"
"What a tremendous opportunity for the radio industry in India," said Peter Conlon, Nautel President and CEO. "Prasar Bharati and All India Radio have embarked on a project that will bring great flexibility and a world of possibilities to broadcasting in India. We look forward to working with AIR as they proceed with their digital deployment ."
Yogendra Pal, Hon. Chairman of the DRM India National Chapter, was also very pleased with the announcement: "This is excellent news and an important milestone in the prestigious digitisation initiative of the Indian Government and All India Radio. With the commissioning of these
transmitters, radio listeners in the country will not only get extra content but also be able to enjoy a high quality service on mediumwave ".
His words were echoed by Ruxandra Obreja, Chair of the DRM Consortium, who welcomed this grand-scale development; "When all these transmitters are on air, with the extra content that will be made available, India will be probably the largest digital radio country in the world. This roll-out
should encourage chipset and receiver manufacturers to produce more DRM receivers. The Prasar Bharati announcement re-affirms All India Radio's commitment to digital technologies and proves that DRM has come of age".
(Alokesh Gupta-IND, DXindia ng Dec 11)
(BCDX/WWDXC Top News 1095 12/16/12)