HD Radio Around the World
Lance Eichenberger, Ruoss AG & Radio Sunshine, demonstrates the HD Radio Transmitter at the "HD Radio Field Trial and Demonstration" in
Inspired by its ability to deliver digital quality sound and services while leveraging existing analog spectrum, HD Radio technology is being tested and adopted in many countries. These developments follow the International Telecommunications Union’s recommendation of iBiquity’s AM and FM HD Radio systems for worldwide implementation of digital broadcasting in ITU-R Recommendation BS.1514 (April 2001) and ITU-R Recommendation BS.1114.
International licensees are not required to enter an agreement directly with iBiquity Digital for HD Radio broadcast equipment. Grants to use iBiquity software are provided through the following licensed HD Radio equipment manufacturers: Broadcast Electronics, Continental Electronics, Continental Lensa, Harris, Nautel, and .
Examples of international HD Radio successes include:
- France – In April 2006, Towercast, an independent broadcast syndicate, began broadcasting an HD Radio signal on 88.2 MHz in Paris, using Broadcast Electronics low-powered transmission systems.
- Thailand – In March 2006, Broadcast Electronics installed an HD Radio™ system for a public radio network targeting mass transit commuters in Bangkok. To receive the broadcasts, more than 10,000 HD Radio receivers will be installed in buses.
- Philippines – The first HD Radio station began broadcasting in the Philippines on November 9, 2005. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo marked the historic occasion by saying, “For the first time in the Philippines, digital FM HD Radio is on the air, broadcasting clear and clean radio programming on 105.1 MHz.”
- Brazil – KISS FM in São Paulo went on the air with HD Radio on September 24, 2005 becoming the first station to transmit FM HD Radio in Brazil. While a standard has not yet been specified, HD Radio is widely expected to be the system of choice by the country’s broadcasters.
- Switzerland – Testing is currently underway and the possibility exists that the first HD Radio broadcasts could be heard as early as spring 2006 on 88 Radio Sunshine, located near Lucerne. Pending the results of the tests, Radio Sunshine will seek approval for the operational use of HD Radio in Switzerland before year 2010. http://www.hd-radio.ch
- New Zealand - HD Radio testing began in New Zealand on October 19, 2005. Transmitting on 106.1 MHz from the Skytower in Auckland, the broadcast is under a special demonstration license from the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development. The digital signal has a reach of more than 60 percent of the metro Auckland population.
For international questions, contact Perry Priestley, Director of International Broadcast Business Development, 443-539-4331or broadcaster@ibiquity.com.
