Sunday, 28 December 2003

Russia's federal state unitary enterprise Russian TV and Radio Network
(RTRN) and state radio company Voice of Russia have chosen the on-air system
DRMÔ for their newly announced, digital short-wave transmission pilot
project.

The project, which extends through December 2005, was authorized by Russia's
State Commission on Radio Frequencies on December 1st. The test results will
be presented to the commission in early 2006, with authorization for the
implementation of Russia's DRM network expected.

"This is a welcome development in DRM's global expansion," says DRM Chairman
Peter Senger of Deutsche Welle. "It illustrates Russia's conviction that DRM
provides the right solutions for digital broadcasting in the years to come."

The Digital Radio MondialeÔ (DRM) consortium's Commercial Committee has
worked closely with Voice of Russia toward this goal. Committee chairman
Michel Penneroux of TDF joined RTRN and Russian broadcasters, plus
transmitter and receiver manufacturers, in outlining DRM's advantages in
Moscow in late October.

"Russia's decision to test DRM is a major step forward in DRM's global
implementation," says Penneroux. "This landmark announcement from Russia
signals confidence in the DRM system, and underlines DRM's benefits for
domestic and international broadcasting." Voice of Russia has been a DRM
member since 1998.

In a December 3rd press release, Voice of Russia said,

"The main advantages of the digital DRM technology for radio listeners are
significantly improved radio signal quality, and fast and easy tuning to the
frequencies used by international broadcasters." The Conference of
International Broadcasters' Audience Research Services (CIBAR) recently
rated Voice of Russia's international audience at 100 million permanent
listeners in 160 countries and regions, with the third largest audience of
all international broadcasters.

DRM's Commercial Committee has assembled coalitions of broadcasters, network
operators, manufacturers and retailers in markets worldwide in preparation
for the commercial launch of a variety of DRM products next year.

With clear, near-FM quality sound and excellent reception that offers a
dramatic improvement over analogue, DRM will revitalize radio in markets
worldwide.

Since DRM's debut in June, more than 50 broadcasters have started
transmitting their daily, weekly or periodic DRM programs.

http://ukradio.com/news/articles/386...3DD8CFB089.asp