The implications on the motor industry of a move to digital radio were discussed at a seminar held on Monday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Twelve leaders from the digital radio, political and automotive worlds spoke on plans for the introduction of the Digital Economy Bill, related challenges facing industry, technological developments and gave insight to the plans of broadcasters and traffic information providers.
In June, government published a report outlining plans that require all new vehicles to be fitted with digital radios from 2013 and every vehicle currently on the road to be digitally enabled from as early as 2015. Industry’s ability to meet this ambitious timescale is dependent on the provision of sufficient content and coverage by broadcasters and the availability of aftermarket digital converters for vehicles manufactured before 2013.
At the seminar, Mark Friend, Controller, Multiplatform and Interactive, BBC Audio and Music told attendees that, “There are certainly exciting opportunities ahead for in-car listening as radio goes digital, but all industries involved in radio have to work together to deliver ‘Digital Britain’. Broadcast digital radio is an efficient medium for mass broadcast as it is energy efficient and offers good signals for users on the move. To ensure all motorists can access digital services it is essential that there are strong signals on all major travel routes.”
Jane Humphreys from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke on the background of the Digital Britain report, and detailed the programme of action to be undertaken by each sector concerned. The need for close collaboration was echoed by speakers from Arqiva, Frontier Silicon and Trafficmaster.
Commenting on the digital radio seminar, SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said, “The Digital Britain Report sets an ambitious and accelerated timetable for all involved in the switchover to digital radio. There are already a number of digitally-enabled products available to motorists as options, but today’s seminar underlined the importance of a long-term collaborative approach between broadcasters and industry that sees investment in content and coverage to create consumer demand.”
Focusing on the specific benefits that digital radio would bring drivers, Alison Holliday from the Highways Agency said, “Looking to the future, the importance of in-car listening is clearly recognised by the Digital Britain Report which sets one of its criteria for switchover as when the digital signal reaches all major roads. Digital radio is already providing a platform for new types of service such as Traffic Radio to broadcast a continuous service from our National Traffic Control Centre. It means road users can get updates whenever they need to and we think it is an important and unique part of the digital offer.”
