{"id":35647,"date":"2019-01-20T11:58:49","date_gmt":"2019-01-20T15:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=35647"},"modified":"2019-01-20T11:58:49","modified_gmt":"2019-01-20T15:58:49","slug":"india-drm-and-fm-white-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/india-drm-and-fm-white-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"India, DRM, and FM white spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Source: Broadcast and Cable Sat<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Digital Radio Receivers \u2013 Availability At An Affordable Price<\/strong><\/p>\n

by\u00a0Yogender Pal (Chairman, DRM India Chapter)<\/p>\n

[…]Transmissions in FM band in India, by AIR as well as private broadcasters, are still in analogue mode only. Aware of the advantages of digital radio broadcasting, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the regulator for all the broadcast services too, has recommended to allow private broadcasters to broadcast in the digital white spaces available in the FM band (VHF band II). This recommendation is under consideration of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Ministry held a meeting on the issue on August 30, 2018. All stakeholders (public and private) were in favor of digital broadcasting in FM band and suggested that the ministry makes public a regulatory policy as soon as possible. Cellphone manufacturers also gave their support provided no additional costs were involved.<\/p>\n

A digital receiver is required to receive digital radio broadcasts as analogue receivers cannot decode the digital signals.<\/p>\n

One of the welcome features of the current roll-out of DRM digital radio in India has been the early and overwhelming commitment of the car industry. Most of the leading car manufacturers in India have either already incorporated DRM receivers in their cars or are in the process of incorporating them. Hyundai has built-in DRM radios in all its models except one. Maruti Suzuki has also incorporated DRM receivers in 6 models and all their models are soon expected to have built-in DRM receivers. Mahindra has also installed DRM in its TUV model. It is encouraging that the roll-out of DRM equipped cars is growing rapidly. At present the number is understood to have surpassed the 10 lakh mark. Indian car manufacturers are not charging extra from consumers for line-fit DRM radio sets.<\/p>\n

In parallel, efforts are being made by a large number of Indian and foreign receiver manufacturers to provide standalone DRM receivers. Communications Systems is the first Indian radio manufacturer to domestically develop and produce a DRM receiver (AV-1401). Inntot Technologies, a young start-up enterprise, has developed a software-based DRM receiver based on a generic processor. This is likely to be much cheaper. GeekSynergy, another start-up company, is also working on the development of a highly affordable DRM receiver.<\/p>\n

Gospell Digital Technology located in China has presented a very well-reviewed DRM Receiver, GR216, which is already in production. Gospell is developing a DRM receiver dongle, GR-227 too, which can be plugged in the existing audio systems in the automobiles on USB ports or Aux input to receive DRM digital signals. Titus SDR, a Panamanian based company, has developed a multi-standard and software-based digital radio receiver. Starwaves has also developed a prototype DRM receiver.<\/p>\n

Standalone DRM digital efforts remain relatively expensive at present. Like with any new technology higher volumes will bring down the cost of the receivers. AIR may thus offer content with additional audio services, innovative advanced features such as journaline advanced text, emergency warnings, and traffic information so that listeners see value in buying a digital receiver.<\/p>\n

An app for DRM digital reception in mobile phones in FM band has been already developed. Demonstrations have been made on the reception of DRM digital signals in the existing mobile phones by plugging a dongle. External dongle would not be required in the new mobile phones; however, the industry wants to see the publicized policy of the government before making the necessary adjustments for working of the app.<\/p>\n

Most of the standalone receivers can receive DRM (in addition to analogue) in AM bands; and its software can also be upgraded to receive DRM in FM band. As announced by Director General recently, AIR may start digital radio broadcasting in FM band. Government may also accept TRAI recommendations and announce a roadmap for digital radio broadcasting in FM band by private broadcasters so that the industry (cellphones, automobile, and standalone receiver manufacturers) gets confidence and starts mass production of receivers.[…]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the full article at Broadcast and Cable Sat online.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Many thanks to Ed for the tip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: Broadcast and Cable Sat) Digital Radio Receivers \u2013 Availability At An Affordable Price by\u00a0Yogender Pal (Chairman, DRM India Chapter) […]Transmissions in FM band in India, by AIR as well as private broadcasters, are still in analogue mode only. Aware of the advantages of digital radio broadcasting, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the regulator […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1114,54,433,3,43],"tags":[52,53,2764,980,4083],"class_list":["post-35647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-modes","category-drm","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-air","tag-all-india-radio","tag-all-india-radio-drm","tag-digital-radio-mondiale","tag-drm"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-9gX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":24717,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/all-india-radio-investing-heavily-in-drm-tranmitters\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":0},"title":"All India Radio investing heavily in DRM tranmitters","author":"Thomas","date":"March 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Pradip, who shares the following story from Radio and Music Biz online: AIR has acquired 37 DRM transmitters, in talks to get cheaper radio sets NEW DELHI: All India Radio (AIR) has introduced digital radio technology in the AIR Network by installing new state\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/newdelhi90zu.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":58658,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/radio-waves-audacy-files-for-bankruptcy-wbcqs-ampegon-antenna-and-fm-drm-in-india\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":1},"title":"Radio Waves: Audacy Files for Bankruptcy, WBCQ’s Ampegon Antenna, and FM DRM in India","author":"Thomas","date":"January 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors NT, Dennis Dura, Alan, and Rich Cuff for the following tips: WSJ Report: Audacy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Angle-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Angle-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Angle-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Angle-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Norelco-Dial-Angle-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7496,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/all-india-radio-publishes-a-tender-for-800-drm-receivers\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":2},"title":"All India Radio publishes a tender for 800 DRM receivers","author":"Thomas","date":"October 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The DRM Consortium has posted an All India Radio\u00a0(AIR) tender for 800 DRM AM\/FM\/Shortwave receivers. AIR is seeking a DRM receiver with a feature set that would include: DRM decoding on both shortwave and medium wave (AM broadcast) bands 1 kHz tuning increments on DRM bands (with DRM auto lock)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"drmlogo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/drmlogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":708,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2010\/04\/all-india-radio-to-go-drm\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":3},"title":"India To Go DRM","author":"Thomas","date":"April 11, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"In the broadcasting world, All India Radio has been an early adopter of DRM technology. I was pleased to find this article from the DRM Consortium via Andy Sennitt at RNW Media Network: The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium has welcomed the Indian government\u2018s approval of All India Radio (AIR)\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/AllIndiaRadioLogo1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1287,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/all-india-radio-on-drm-track\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":4},"title":"All India Radio on DRM track","author":"Thomas","date":"July 11, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"As we've mentioned before, it appears AIR (All India Radio) may soon be a leader in digital radio in all forms, including shortwave. This, from the Deccan Herald: The government plans to launch a 24-hour news broadcast channel of All India Radio (AIR) as part of its sweeping modernisation programme\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/AllIndiaRadioLogo1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42502,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/all-india-radio-suspends-shortwave-and-pure-drm-transmissions-during-covid-19-lock-down\/","url_meta":{"origin":35647,"position":5},"title":"All India Radio suspends shortwave and “pure DRM’ transmissions during Covid-19 lock-down","author":"Thomas","date":"March 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who notes that All India Radio has suspended a number of their broadcast services during the Covid-19 lock-down. Mark shares the following Office Memorandum from India\u2019s Public Service Broadcaster. Click here to download memorandum (PDF). In terms of shortwave (ESD) services, here's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Karthik-Chandran-India-AIR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Karthik-Chandran-India-AIR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Karthik-Chandran-India-AIR.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35647\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}