DRM digital radio standard recommended by the South African government
The South African Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams, issued on July 1st 2020 the policy direction regarding the introduction of digital sound broadcasting (DSB) in South Africa which recommends both DRM (for AM and FM bands) and DAB+.
This is a momentous decision for South Africa, the African continent and also a first for digital audio broadcasting as it brings together the two ITU recommended open digital radio standards, DRM and DAB+.
The directive is based on the regulatory South African acts, the ITU Radio Regulations of 2016, the SADC (LINK) band plans and the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy. The aim is to provide a licensing framework and optimum allocation of radio frequencies for the South African three-tier system of public, commercial and community broadcasting services. This will stimulate, where economically feasible, the South African industry in the manufacturing of DSB receivers and ancillary gadgets and encourage investment in the broadcasting sector. This is both a positive sign and encouragement to the broadcasting sector to attain the goals for universal service and access to all.
The recommendations are:
DRM Digital Radio Mondiale to complement analogue AM service in the MW band (535.5- 1606.5 kHz), analogue FM services in VHF band-II (87.5-108 MHz); and to be deployed in the allocated VHF band-III (214-230 MHz).
DAB+ transmissions to complement in the allocated VHF band-III (214-230 MHz).
All DRM and DAB configurations of the respective standards to complement the existing analogue sound broadcasting in any other applicable sound broadcasting band within the confines of the prevailing radio frequency plan and consistent with ITU Radio Regulations for Region 1.
Here's the policy document on the introduction of digital sound broadcasting in South Africa :
