Digital radio is touted to offer the benefits of CD-quality sound that is uninterrupted by atmospheric conditions. The technology will also allow images and text information to be sent along with the music signal, and displayed on a small screen in the radio. This information can be images, news, sports, stock exchange information and weather forecasts, among other services.
The study group will include representatives from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA), the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA).
The group will look at overseas implementations of digital radio, including Digital Radio Mondiale which supports digital radio in the High Frequency and Moderate Frequency bands (300-30,000 MHz). This offers very wide coverage and could be used in regional areas to deliver services such as Radio Australia.
Other systems which are specifically mentioned for investigation by the study group are the US-used in-band on-channel (IBOC) system, and Eureka 147, which has been rolled out in Britain, Canada, and some parts of Europe and Asia.
The Study Group is to report by 28 November 2003.
