European invented radio technology as a replacement of analogue FM and AM radio, DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is successful in Western Europe such as United Kingdom, Norway, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
However, DAB+ radio is also a failure radio technology in several countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Romania, Hungary, Portugal and Ireland.
There are few reasons of DAB+ is unsuccessful in these countries actually.
1. Lack of interest and commitment from radio broadcaster
- Many radio listeners are tuning on FM radio platform, the radio stations gain more listenership ratings on FM radio than DAB+. Some of radio stations also run trial transmission on DAB/DAB+ radio by simulcasting FM radio program, but listeners prefer to listen on FM radio.
- Despite the broadcast regulator promotes DAB+ to radio players, but they have no interest towards that digital radio technology with many reasons such as coverage issue, transmission costs and the listeners.
2. Lack of public awareness towards DAB+ radio broadcast
- Some of countries perform trial transmission of DAB+ radio, but the government does not promote this radio technology to the public. Hence, the people don't aware about DAB+ radio.
3. High transmission costs are paid by the radio broadcasters.
- As the coverage of DAB+ radio is smaller than FM radio due to DAB+ is on VHF Band III which is higher than FM radio (VHF Band II), radio broadcasters have to launch more gap filler transmitter to cover the location. The radio broadcasters have to bear more transmission costs on DAB+ radio than FM radio.
- Example: If Astro Radio from Malaysia launches DAB+ in Selangor, the radio broadcaster has to launch few auxiliary transmitter sites in Bukit Sungai Besi and Menara Kuala Lumpur. So, Astro Radio has to bear 3 times of transmission fees for DAB+ radio than FM radio. Compare between FM and DAB+, in Selangor, radio broadcasters can use only Gunung Ulu Kali to cover whole state.
4. DAB+ radio receiver is not affordable to the consumer
- At any electronic shop, by comparing the price of FM and DAB+ radio receiver, the price of DAB+ radio receiver is more expensive than FM radio receiver. Some of consumers can't afford the price to purchase DAB+ radio receiver.
- Note that DAB+ radio receiver consumes more electricity power than FM.
5. Car radio does not have DAB+ tuner
- Most of the car audio player don't have DAB+ tuner. The latest car multimedia player aren't only equipped with FM radio, Bluetooth and USB port as the most basic features, they are even having Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With such advanced features, people can even tune to their content (including online radio stations) via mobile data by connecting the phone to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, even Bluetooth and the conventional AUX port. So, DAB+ technology is not welcomed by car users.
6. Lack of listeners' interest
- As there is growing of digital platforms from the radio broadcasters such as Podcasts, YouTube LIVE streaming and mobile applications, it is very convenient to the consumers. People can tune to their favorite radio stations via online streaming, YouTube, mobile app and even repeated program through podcast, they don't need to buy DAB+ radio receiver which is more expensive.
7. Poorer coverage of DAB+ than FM
- As DAB+ frequency is allocated at VHF Band III which is higher than FM radio band, the coverage of DAB+ is lesser than FM.
- Usually FM radio transmission can travel up to 150km (depends on the transmission site), but DAB+ transmission distance is shorter than FM.
- The listeners tune to a radio station on FM band outside broadcast coverage areas, when the signal is weak and faded, they can still hear the broadcast with static noise on FM frequency. However, on DAB+, when the signal is weak, the DAB+ signal is directly off and showing "NO Signal", the situation is same as playing a damaged CD on the player.
==About DAB+ Radio in Malaysia==
- According to WorldDAB, Malaysia has been running DAB+ radio trial transmission since 2009. Coverage is limited in Kuala Lumpur.
- Opinion: I don't think DAB+ is successful radio technology in Malaysia because the people have no interest to listen to radio via DAB+ as we are already accustomed to listen through FM radio and other digital platform such as mobile app streaming, YouTube LIVE and online streaming. In addition, none of the Malaysia cars' multimedia players have DAB+ tuner, even I go to any electronic shop, there are no any DAB+ receiver. Moreover, I don't think Malaysia radio broadcasters have the interest to operate DAB+ broadcast to replace FM radio due to poorer coverage of DAB+ than FM. Malaysia can be same with Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong and Ireland where DAB+ is abandoned.
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