[opendtv] Re: Canada Says "OK" to HD Radio
- From: "John Willkie" <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 12:57:54 -0800
Overstated. It's not an okay, it's the regulator of RF permitting it, with
the regulator of content needing to agree before it's okay.
Whatever happened to Eureka-147 services?
John Willkie
_____
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of John Golitsis
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 12:51 PM
To: OpenDTV
Subject: [opendtv] Canada Says "OK" to HD Radio
http://www.marketnews.ca/news_detail.asp?nid=2442
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has
revised its policy to allow HD Radio to enter Canada's digital radio
broadcasting arena. Using the HD Radio technology, existing AM and FM
stations can broadcast digital signals along with the analog, providing
multiple channels of programming on the same frequency, known as
"multicasting".
In addition to allowing for programming expansion via these multicasts, the
technology's developer, iBiquity Digital Corp., says that HD Radio provides
improved sound quality over analog service. It can also allow for other neat
options, like scrolling text and graphics content on the display of a
receiver; and real-time traffic updates. HD Radio's in-channel, on-band
(IBOC) system is already available to approximately 80 per cent of the U.S.
population through more than 1,100 AM and FM radio stations; and receivers
are available from about 20 manufacturers.
In its Public Notice CRTC 2006-160, the Commission said it would be prepared
to authorize services using the IBOC/HD Radio technology for the AM and FM
bands if the Canadian department of Industry authorizes it under the
Radiocommunication Act. The CRTC added that "an expedited process would be
adopted for stations that propose to transmit a digital simulcast of their
analog service."
"The HD Radio system is ideal for Canadian broadcasters and listeners,
allowing stations to offer more than one programming stream without the need
for more or different spectrum," said Robert Struble, President and CEO of
iBiquity Digital. "Programmers will be able to offer their content in both
French and English, as well as create new channels for Canada's diverse
population. We welcome this decision by the CRTC, and we look forward to the
opportunity to assist Canadian AM and FM broadcasters with their digital
conversions.
"The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) began HD Radio testing in
September 2006, focusing on transmissions from Toronto and Peterborough,
Ontario," Struble added. "Full results have not yet been published by the
CBC, but early feedback has been very positive. There are plans to begin
testing on MW-AM operations in early 2007."
Since HD Radio does not require an additional spectrum, the transition would
likely be seamless for providers, should they opt to participate in the
technology.
HD Radio technology is currently being tested and adopted in more than a
dozen countries throughout the world, including: Australia, France,
Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand
and Ukraine.
For more information, visit <http://www.ibiquity.com/> www.ibiquity.com or
<http://www.hdradio.com/> www.hdradio.com.
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