DRM Consortium Announces Creation of DRM Automotive Workgroup for India

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium has announced the creation of the first DRM Automotive Workgroup for India on November 25th during the second annual NXP India Cockpit and Infotainment Forum organized by NXP Semiconductors. NXP (www.nxp.com) is the number one in automotive infotainment systems and the global market leader for digital car radio solutions[1].  During this event, All India Radio presented recent optimizations of the national DRM coverage as well as upcoming, exclusive service offerings for their listeners on DRM.

Currently, on the Indian roads there are over 2.5 million cars (representing all the big automotive brands) fitted with DRM receivers at no extra cost to consumers.

The Forum was a high-power event including comprehensive presentations on the recent NXP milestones and future plans, as NXP is supplying inclusive and up-to-date infotainment solutions to the powerful automotive industry, the undisputed driver for radio consumption worldwide. NXP, a DRM Consortium member, continues to work hard on DRM firmware development (in the AM and FM bands).

In parallel, another DRM Consortium member, All India Radio (AIR), announced significant DRM improvements introduced very recently like: non-stop pure DRM transmissions with 3 services or programmes on one frequency in 4 key metros, more DRM transmitters for increased coverage, and more varied and exclusive audio programmes and Journaline content added, progress on national rollout of DRM's emergency warning functionality (EWF), and a programme information guide enabled by Journaline. This is doubled by the enhanced visibility and communication about DRM promoted and encouraged by a newly created project unit within AIR dedicated to the promotion of DRM.

All the above initiatives underscore that All India Radio is fully committed to DRM digital radio for all of India. During the NXP Forum the automotive industry was thus strongly encouraged to support and help the transition to digital radio, by making DRM available in all car models, while supporting the full DRM feature set, and  by promoting DRM to customers in cooperation with AIR.

NXP, AIR and the whole DRM Consortium are asking the Indian government for support to mandate DRM reception including EWF – Emergency Warning Functionality – in cars, in a similar way in which the EU has recommended that any car for rent or sale in the EU needs to have a radio receiver capable of receiving services provided via "digital terrestrial radio broadcasting" from 2021 onwards.

In order to strengthen the big role of the automotive industry in introducing DRM digital radio and making it part of the Indian successes and progress, the DRM Consortium announced during the Forum the creation of the Automotive DRM Workgroup for India. This industry body is accessible to all interested industry parties and enables an efficient two-way communication channel with AIR and India's government to ensure a smooth and successful DRM rollout. Those interested and requesting more details please write to: projectoffice@drm.org. 

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, said: "The support of big companies involved in the full DRM rollout in India is essential in persuading the government that digital radio in all Indian cars is a way of delivering essential services like information, emergency warning, localised content in the right language mix for the benefit of listeners and digital progress of India."

[1] Strategy Analytics, May 2020

NXP – in Cooperation with DRM Consortium on DRM Implementation and Rollout First India infotainment forum

First India infotainment forum by NXP – in Cooperation with DRM Consortium on DRM Implementation and Rollout

NXP Semiconductors, the world's largest provider of automotive semiconductors 1, in collaboration with the DRM Digital Radio Consortium hosted the first annual NXP Cockpit and Infotainment Forum in New Delhi on October 22, 2019.

The event showcased the latest trends and solutions in infotainment systems that advance the in-vehicle experience. It also shared a full view into the development of DRM and the inclusion of DRM receivers in many of the new models on the roads in India. Participants received updates on the All India Radio rollout as well as presentations on how NXP's latest generation of software defined radio facilitates DRM digital radio for  Infotainment system architectures. The discussions of aspects of infotainment from radio and audio, processing as well as connectivity gave a unique feel to this newly initiated car top event. A full day of presentations, discussions and demos highlighted the great appetite consumers have for cars that are equipped with the latest technologies to keep them safe, informed and entertained.

The broadcasting and manufacturing industry as well as representatives from key government bodies like TRAI, the Indian regulator embraced the opportunity to share their information and experience. They, in turn, received up-to-date information on the latest developments in the infotainment sector.

"India infotainment and cockpit consumer preferences are changing rapidly. NXP innovations are at the forefront of this technology and aim to deliver best in class in-cabin experience, connectivity and safety. The first annual NXP Cockpit & Infotainment Forum brought key stakeholders of the industry and government together to help drive the adoption of digital radio and world class infotainment in India, said Ashok Chandak," senior director global sales and marketing, NXP Semiconductors.

"NXP has been driving Digital Radio adoption in India and worldwide together with the DRM Consortium. It was a pleasure to see the great progress of DRM receiver deployments in India, along with All India Radio's 39 DRM transmitters operational. This one-of-a-kind event created a new forum for major car OEMs, AIR, TRAI, Tier 1's, and ecosystem partners to join together and address Infotainment solutions that will meet consumer aspirations," commented, Ron Schiffelers, Senior Director - Program management at NXP Semiconductors.

Ruxandra Obreja, the DRM Chairman, said "The NXP-DRM car event in New Delhi was a great moment where our message was that DRM, whether in AM or FM, is just one standard with the same features and benefits. The demos of DRM for FM showed how DRM can also enhance the performance of the many cars that an increasing number of Indians desire and will own. The collaboration of the different industries and organisations represented at this unique event is a sure way to help them achieve their own goals, maintain and grow the number of car owners, listeners to DRM digital radio."