28 Nov Successful Conclusion of First Interactive ABU-AIBD-DRM Workshop 26-27 November
The two-day workshop organised together with the ABU (Asia Broadcasting Union) and AIBD (Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development) was a first of its kind for DRM and was attended by many radio specialists from half a dozen Asian and African countries. The aim of the workshop was to introduce, demonstrate and discuss the benefits of DRM digital radio in meeting the diverse needs of countries wishing to offer full national coverage, regional and local flexible solutions with spectrum and energy savings in all bands (including VHF bands II and III) now.
DRM experts representing Fraunhofer IIS, RFmondial, the DRM Marketing Director and the Honorary Chairman of the DRM India Chapter struck a balance in their presentations between the theoretical aspects of the standard and the practical experience and lessons learned in many countries of the globe. DRM demonstrations on DRM receivers, hands-on sessions and the discussion of various scenarios kept participants fully engaged.
Ahmed Nadeem, the ABU Technical Director, thought the workshop was great “because it covered not only all the areas of the technology and the DRM solution itself but it also led to the understanding of the requirements and policy level decisions and what it entails in working with the regulator and planning the rollout of DRM step-by-step in the preferred bands, specially FM. The experiences shared from case studies like India and other countries were very valuable to all the participants.”
What struck Mr Utpal Kanti Mandal, the Programme Manager of AIBD, as well as Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair, was the exceptional level of participation during the workshop.” The over 60 questions asked during the two days certainly kept us on our toes,” said Ms Ruxandra Obreja. “They demonstrated a detailed understanding of the DRM possibilities but also the various options available when planning for a real roll out of digital radio.”
DRM ABU AIBD Workshop delegates