|
HD Radio Now Oversees
Last October, there were several European radio broadcasters and other interested parties formed the European HD Radio Alliance, or EHDRA, to help promote high definition digital radio technology to the governments and other broadcasters in Europe. Those countries with considerable interest in HD Radio technology include Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Romania and others. Many are now running tests and operating experimental HD Radio stations.
In addition, Eastern European countries have embraced the HD Radio concept. There are now two HD Radio stations, each programming an HD2 and HD3 multi cast channel in addition to their main HD channel. They are in Ukraine and Poland, and a station will soon be starting in Romania.
Also oversees, in Asia, there are several countries deploying the HD Radio system. In Bangkok, Thailand, numerous HD Radio stations with multicast have launched and are now fully operational. The Philippines ha also embraced HD Radio. It was actually the first Asian nation to regulate HD Radio technology as its official digital standard (on FM). In addition, both Vietnam and China are testing with live on-air transmissions.
In Latin and South America, Brazil has approximately 25 HD Radio stations on the air in several of its largest cities.
Also, in addition to the stations now broadcasting, Brazilian broadcasters have been working to foster an active manufacturing environment for HD Radio receivers and have manufactured several, and they have received positive reviews.
Mexico has also now authorized HD Radio transmissions in an area within 200 miles south of the U.S. border where approximately over 10 new stations currently operate, including several stations supporting multicasting. There are additional AM IBOC tests scheduled for Mexico City as two FM stations there are broadcasting with HD Radio technology on a temporary, experimental basis. Mexico’s government is also now still reviewing national digital radio standards, but the opening of the border area is a huge vote of confidence for the HD Radio system.
|
