All aspects of radio, television and cinema were displayed on the equipment floor. In the Lega Limited booth, Nautel had a transmitter and RFmondial showed off their new DRM monitoring receiver. A number of people came by and asked about DRM products and technology and we were more than delighted to talk with them. Several private broadcasters also expressed an interest in broadcasting in DRM.

The big question everyone wanted to ask was what is happening with DRM in Russia? The short answer after talking with a number of RTRN the major network operator) officials is that the project is on hold, but there is optimism that it could get back on track. Next month a commission is to be appointed to discuss the future radio roll out now that the TV digitalization is well underway.

Our own Rashel Staviskaya from Voice of Russia recently made a presentation to important players in RTRN and Ministers, not just on DRM but on the success of digital radio around the world. This was well received and seemed to have been an eye-opener for them. According to Rashel, they were not aware of the amount of digital radio and the millions of digital receivers that were available in different countries on several different platforms. This may offer new light on the subject in Russia.

Nobody knows just when things may move forward but there is optimism that something could develop in the not-too-distant future. As always, they are asking about receivers.

Hal Kneller (Nautel)