- Question
Following a recent article I read, I am wondering why we need digital radio when satellite can cover large countries like mine?
(Australian listener)
- Answer
Satellite is very useful and used up to a point for radio or podcast distribution in countries like US and Canada. However, satellite broadcasting is considered much more expensive than terrestrial broadcasting.
Australia’s Viewer Accessed Satellite TV carries ABC/SBS radio but must be received by a stationary accurately pointed dish. It cannot be received in a moving vehicle or boat. So, for flexibility, easy access, cost, and wide coverage a standard like DRM remains the greenest and best solution, the golden standard.
To this add the in-built emergency warning function which is integral part of the DRM standard. This can be deployed nation-wide and also only target specific areas, if required. This flexibility, as well as the specific data, even in selected language is a level of sophistication that can be delivered by DRM (ewf.drm.org)