NEWS: UK UNLIKELY TO ADOPT NEW GLOBALLY AGREED 'AAC+' CODEC FOR DAB DIGITAL RADIO FOR "TEN TO FIFTEEN

YEARS" by GRANT GODDARD

www.grantgoddard.co.uk November 2006

The UK is unlikely to implement the new AAC+ codec for DAB digital radio broadcasting until the next decade, despite the World DAB Forums decision to adopt the new standard globally at its meeting in Seoul earlier this month. The increased efficiency of this new codec offers the possibility of broadcasting many more stations within the existing DAB bandwidth, all at a higher quality than possible with the existing MP2 codec, whose technology dates back to the mid-1990s. However, the World DAB Forum announced that in more developed markets where DAB has achieved significant penetration, including the UK, Denmark and Norway, broadcasters intend to continue to broadcast all digital radio stations using MP2 for the foreseeable future. It explained that this arrangement ensures that existing listeners and DAB digital radios will not be disrupted. World DAB Forum president Quentin Howard said: The right solution for several of the most advanced DAB markets will continue to be MP2. That is something that the regulators and broadcasters in those countries know and understand well, and they will behave responsibly and in the best interests of their consumers. The introduction of the new codec in the UK will require existing DAB receiver owners to purchase new radios because currently available sets were not designed to accept software updates. The World DAB Forum said that, although receivers incorporating the new codec are expected to be available next year, its task will be reassuring existing digital radio owners and explain[ing] to retailers and the press that there will be no disruption to wellloved DAB radio stations already being enjoyed by audiences in their millions. Earlier this year, Howard had warned that the UK may not adopt a new codec. He said: A country like Denmark or the UK that has a large legacy of MP2 receivers they are not going to change to some new codec overnight. Thats absolutely bonkers. They may do it gradually over a period of time, but it will be driven by the market and it may take ten or fifteen years, if the UK were to adopt a new codec. A year ago, Ofcom said that it did not propose any change to the [DAB] coding standards set out in regulation at present, although it would keep the matter under review. It argued that any change in the short term could have a severe adverse effect on the interests of citizens and consumers, and more widely on the development of the market for digital radio services in the UK. The regulator foresaw that a number of years from now, when the vast majority of radios in the market can receive both MP2 and AAC services, multiplexes in the UK may be able to make use of AAC, thus further enhancing spectrum efficiency, allowing the provision of additional services to increase listener choice. In the opinion of the digitalradiotech website, both the radio industry and the regulator are keen not to 'spook' the market, because if the public gets to
News: UK Unlikely To Adopt New Globally Agreed 'AAC+' Codec For DAB Digital Radio For "Ten To Fifteen Years" page 2 2006 Grant Goddard

know that all existing DAB radios will be obsolete in a few years time, then DAB sales would be drastically reduced and consumers would lose confidence in DAB. Noting the tests made last month using the AAC+ codec on the Stoke DAB multiplex, it predicts that stations using the new technology will launch within two years. Discontent about the perceived audio quality of the current DAB system continues to pre-occupy the media. In a recent edition of the 'BBC Radio Four' programme You And Yours, 'The Guardian' technology correspondent Jack Scofield argued that the sound quality isnt very good and you hear something worse than 1982 CD-quality and it should be better than [current] CD quality. Digital Radio Development Bureau [DRDB] chief executive Ian Dickens responded that 23% of people buying digital radio are now buying their second, third or fourth [sets] and one assumes they wouldnt be doing that unless they were satisfied with whats coming out the speaker. Scofield concluded that we should tell people that we plan to move ahead to AAC+ or just give them all their money back [for their existing DAB sets]. This week, the Advertising Standards Authority [ASA] dismissed a complaint against multiplex owner MXR concerning a leaflet entitled 'Essential Guide To Digital Radio' that was available in Currys shops. The complainant challenged the leaflets claim that DAB offered great sound and digital-quality sound on the grounds that the bandwidth used by many stations provides low quality sound. In its defence, MXR quoted market research by the DRDB and Ofcom demonstrating that most DAB purchasers were satisfied with the sound quality. The ASA said that although it understood that hiss- and crackle-free sound depended largely on coverage and signal reception, it noted that readers were directed in the leaflet to check reception in their region before purchase, so that there was little chance of consumer detriment. MXR managing director Diane Wray commented afterwards: We are delighted that the ASA has recognised that, for DAB digital radio owners, digital sound is a great benefit." But, only days after the ASA judgement, a review of DAB receivers in 'The Sunday Times' told readers that you shouldnt expect truly wonderful sound from any DAB radio and said they are better suited to background music while chopping carrots for dinner than to pleasing audiophiles. It warned that current DAB radios could be obsolete within a few years once the AAC+ codec is introduced.

[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'UK Could Introduce New DAB Codec In "10 Or 15 Years"', #762, 15 November 2006]

News: UK Unlikely To Adopt New Globally Agreed 'AAC+' Codec For DAB Digital Radio For "Ten To Fifteen Years" page 3 2006 Grant Goddard

Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk

News: UK Unlikely To Adopt New Globally Agreed 'AAC+' Codec For DAB Digital Radio For "Ten To Fifteen Years" page 4 2006 Grant Goddard