Communications Minister Senator Alston set the cat amongst the pigeons when he announced the formation of a Digital Radio Study Group to report on the status of currently available digital radio technologies at the keynote speech of the ABA conference in Canberra.

The announcement came as a surprise to most radio industry people in the room, but was consistent with Senator Alston’s wish to speed along progress toward digital radio, as expressed at the same conference last year.

The study group will be comprised of representatives from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA), the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and “will look at initiatives currently being developed and implemented overseas, in terms of digital radio technology and approaches to service delivery,” according to Alston.

The group will look at the technologies available including IBOC and digital satellite services in the US, Eureka 147 in the UK and the European Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) system.

So far in Australia, the Federal Government has facilitated the temporary provision of spectrum to enable the trialing of digital radio services, which are being coordinated by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA). The results will be shared with the wider radio sector.

“The study by the Digital Radio Study Group will ensure Australia is well placed to determine the optimal technology to maximise consumer benefits and will provide the basis for future discussions with the industry on the best way forward,” said Senator Alston.

The Minister’s terms of reference for the Digital Radio Study Group are:

To inquire into and report to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on:

1. The implementation of the alternative digital radio technologies, including Eureka 147, IBOC, Digital Radio Mondiale and digital satellite and hybrid satellite/ terrestrial services, in overseas markets.

2. The relative merits of the alternative technologies in terms of the range and types of services that can be delivered, the particular advantages and disadvantages of each technology in the Australian environment, and any implications for spectrum planning, clearing or efficiency in the Australian context.

3. The implications of the alternative technologies with respect to technical standards or regulatory considerations.

The Group will report its findings to the Minister by 28 November 2003.

Communications Minister Alston has granted radio broadcasters the use in Sydney of Channel 9A on VHF Band III to extend the consumer trials.

Speaking in a later panel session in the conference, CRA’s Joan Warner, when asked about the study group, said: “They will have a role to play and will study what is happening overseas.”

Warner explained that progress in the Australian trials so far has explored interference issues in Sydney, but that there is a delay in taking those trials further on the VHF band. “The biggest hold up we have had so far is Willoughby Council,” said Warner. She also clarified a point made earlier by Communications Minster Alston, explaining that new receivers are required for IBOC, just as they are for the other technologies. The minister had mentioned in his speech that he thought IBOC could be received on existing receivers.

Commercial Radio Australia has invested more than $1.1 million in developing the trials of digital radio to date, but completion of the infrastructure required for the trials has been delayed by seven months due to local council processes according to Warner.

“All broadcasting partners have agreed on a detailed implementation plan for the trial and we are ready to move forward, but we have been frustrated for seven months waiting for Willoughby Council officers to even place it before the Council for approval.”

“In many cases local council staff have great difficulty in dealing with the complex issues relating to broadcasting transmission and State and Federal Governments need to provide a clear set of processes and guidelines for changes to broadcasting transmission sites,” said Warner. This point also alludes to other planning difficulties, such as the Homebush transmission towers, which will also be a topic at the conference.

Warner called on Federal Government agencies to work with State planning authorities to set up planning regulations for more efficient approvals.

“The broadcasters are seeking to simply replace an existing antenna on the Channel 9 Willoughby Tower with one three metres longer to enable digital radio broadcasting trials to commence… The very disappointing delay over a three-metre extension and the recent issue with urban encroachment to AM towers at Homebush Bay highlight the serious challenge facing broadcasters in metropolitan areas.”

“The listening public regards radio as an essential service, but our audience coverage is being threatened by the lack of understanding of broadcasting and broadcasters needs’ by planning authorities at both State and local level.”

Commercial Radio Australia has formed strategic alliances with a range of partners for the trial, including retailers, receiver manufacturers, retailers, advertisers and car manufacturers, as well as community and national broadcasters.

Communications Minister Alston spoke to journalists at an impromptu press conference after his keynote speech. He was asked about:

The Governor General – “I see no reason to withdraw his commission. Polls are not a consideration. The GG must make his own judgement about his tenure.”

Promoting digital television – “The free to airs have a responsibility to advance the agenda and need to launch an advertising and marketing campaign to convince the public of the benefits of digital tv and improve takeup of sets.” (Later CTVA CEO Julie Flynn forshadowed this would happen in the near future).

The new Media Bill – “I can’t guess whether we will get support from the independents and democrats. All we can do is address the issues that they say are of concern to them, which is what we have been doing.” Responding to the question that the Media Bill could create a trigger for a double dissolution he said: “If that happens so be it.”

Interactive television gambling – I can see some distinction between betting on the run and other betting. You’ve got the strike the right balance. We want to stop the spread of gambling addiction and avoid the possibility of match fixing.”

Further on Digital Radio – Question: “Once this study goes through, how long do you think it would be until this becomes a reality in Australia?”

Answer: “Well, I think the UK experience where it’s available to the greater proportion of the population is that they are still struggling to find a business case. Now there are some interesting opportunities for consumers, and I think people will generally find it attractive, but if you have to buy a new receiver for example, that is bit of a sticking point… I think it’s probably going to grow in interest. We would like to see the trials completed as quickly as possible. This has been agonised over for a long long time and I think it’s fair to say the industry itself has not been breaking its neck to get to the starting blocks, but if we can demonstrate that it’s not only technically feasible but that it does have a degree of interest in the community then I think consumers should be given a chance to see whether they want it or not.”