Digital Audio Broadcasting

The government is currently taking a strategic look at broadcasting in New Zealand. In the context of globalisation and technological change, it is time to consider how to ensure that the broadcasting environment is capable of supporting an effective and sustainable mixed broadcasting sector in what can be expected to be an ever changing environment in the years to come.

Technological developments are among the key potential drivers for change in the broadcasting sector. Developments in digital technology, standards, and platforms, and media convergence, offer the possibility not only of quantitative change, but also of new varieties of content and different kinds of services. Digital Audio Broadcasting shares this potential. Although DAB services are available internationally, they have yet to be established on a significant scale in New Zealand. If DAB has a place in the future of New Zealand broadcasting, it is timely for both government and the broadcasting sector to give closer consideration to the issues, and to begin the process of charting a way forward.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is intended to provide a common starting point for thinking about the future direction for DAB in New Zealand. It begins with a summary of existing decisions and consultation already undertaken. The next section of the paper identifies general issues relating to the introduction of DAB services in New Zealand. The remainder of the paper introduces the key technological elements of DAB, and identifies the key issues concerning platforms, standards, spectrum use, and reception technology.

Consultation undertaken by the Ministry of Economic Development in 2000/2001 facilitated the development of a draft spectrum plan for DAB, with licences currently available only for the demonstration of new technology. Whereas that consultative process concerned largely technical issues, Digital Audio Broadcasting identifies a range of wider issues for the broadcasting sector which also require consideration if full advantage is to be taken of the potential benefits of DAB in the future.

For this reason, the Ministry is seeking the views of those with an interest in the sector.

Given the current environment, and what we know of the future, what are the key issues to which you think the government should give consideration?
What would be the primary benefits of DAB?
What current barriers are there, and how might these be overcome?
If DAB is seen as a priority in the sector, or were it to become so, what could be done best to assist its successful development in New Zealand?
What could the sector do to advance the development of DAB, and what forms of government involvement might be appropriate?

Correspondence can be addressed to Nonnita Rees, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, PO Box 5364, Wellington, or e-mailed to nonnita.rees@mch.govt.nz. We would like to receive these by 20 February 2004. The Ministry will then collate the responses with a view to convening a meeting of interested parties to discuss the emerging general themes.

View the Digital Audio Broadcasting paper as html.
View and download a copy of the Digital Audio Broadcasting paper as a PDF document (147 KB)