Convened by Kath Letch, Chair of the Digital Radio Standing Committee.

This session involved a panel, which included representatives from the CBAA, DCITA and ACMA. It outlined the technical, policy and legislative framework for digital radio to be introduced in January 2009.

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Apart from the radio frequency transmitter itself key components of a DAB+ digital radio system include the multiplexer, the audio encoder and data servers. The multiplexing equipment 'knits' together each program stream into one stream for transmission. Patrik Olson from Sweden came to Melbourne for the CBAA Conference to give a 5 minute overview of his company's multiplex equipment. No decisions have been made about suppliers of multiplexer equipment for Australia's DAB+ rollout at this point. There are many functionality and connectivity issues to be considered and a number of mutliplex manufacturer's are discussing the requirements of Australian broadcasters.

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Graeme Redman from Pure spoke at the Conference on the progress of DAB receiver availability in the United Kingdom. Nowadays it is quite difficult to buy any radio other than a digital radio in the UK. Many stores only stock digital DAB radios. Australia is to implement DAB+ and it is hoped and expected that a good range receiver manufacturers will expand their offerings to include DAB+ before January 2009.

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Alastair Gellatly from the regulator ACMA spoke to the Conference on the work ACMA is doing to ensure a timely regulatory environment for the introduction of digital radio before January 2009. ACMA is working to the new digital radio legislation. RF channel planning is being done in consultation with broadcasters and invitations for multiplex licences are expected to occur before the end of 2008. It is a very tight timeframe in every respect; legislative, technical and structural.

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David Sice spoke to the Conference on progress to ensure the community broadcasting sector is able to participate in digital radio and the success so far in obtaining funding. David gave a general overview of the technical infrastructure being planned and the scope of funds to support that infrastructure. David spoke on the impacts of generating program material and data at a studio level as well as discussing possible collaborative structures. This session also looked at creating innovative services on digital radio and across a range of digital platforms.