DIGITAL RADIO
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Where is digital radio available?
Where can I buy a new DAB+ radio?
Digital radio was launched by all commercial and public service
broadcasters in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and
Perth in August 2009. Low power DAB+ trial signals commenced
in Canberra in July 2010 and Darwin in August 2010.
Major retailers throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Adelaide, Perth, Canberra* and Darwin* are stocking digital radios
including; Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, Bing Lee, The Good Guys,
Myer, David Jones, Big W, Kmart, JB Hi Fi, Target, Retravision and
specialist audio retailers as well as online retailers.
Can I receive digital radio?
Type your postcode into the search function on
digitalradioplus.com.au or sms your postcode to
0409 DRPLUS (0409 377 587).
Will digital radio cost listeners anything?
Digital radio is free. Listeners simply have to buy a new digital
radio to listen. Digital radios are priced from as low as $30.
There are no other costs - no subscription fees, no messing
about with signing up, just tune in!
What should I look for when purchasing a digital
radio to ensure it will work in Australia?
Only DAB+ radios will receive digital radio in Australia. When buying
a new digital radio, check that the product packaging states that it
is a DAB+ digital radio, or look for the following logo:
*Low power test transmission areas
What digital radio models are available?
There are a large selection of models including DAB+ clock radios
with iPod docks, WiFi and DAB+ combinations, HiFi components,
micro and mini systems, portable players, hand held MP3 & MP4
players with DAB+, USB’s, set top boxes and digital radio for your
car. Plus there are digital radios with small screens showcasing
radio with pictures – fully illustrating the DAB+ capabilities with
album covers, presenter photos and sports results.
How much will a DAB+ radio cost?
Like any product range, digital radio prices vary depending on
the features and capabilities. Entry-level models start from
around $39. There are over 300 DAB+ radio models available,
check the website for more information.
Who makes DAB+ digital radios?
Sony, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Bose, Yamaha, JVC Kenwood, Pure,
Teac, Roberts, Sangean, Bush, Revo, Kogan, Blaupunkt, Tivoli and
Lenoxx are just some of the many manufacturers making DAB+
digital radios. Manufacturers are always updating their range of
digital radios so please visit our Digital Radio Plus website to keep
track of the latest and greatest.
What extra features will digital radio provide?
Digital radio provides high quality sound and great digital only
exclusive stations including; Koffee, Stardust Radio, Buddha,
Coles Radio, Triple M Classic Rock, Pure Gold 80s,
Pure Gold 90s, Chemist Warehouse Remix, The Edge,
Gorilla Super Digi, Loveland, MY Perth Digital, Kix Perth Digital,
Zoo Super Digi, MyMP, SkySports Radio Digital and
4TAB Digital Two, plus an ongoing selection of pop up stations
that are created for an event or a featured artist.
What are Event or Pop Up digital radio stations?
Event or Pop Up stations are digital stations that exist for a short
period of time or that change into another concept. ‘Elf Radio’
plays Christmas songs throughout the festive season, while the
pop-up station ‘WS4KIDS’ raised funds for children in need. Digital
radio allows for flexible niche programming that can highlight an
event, festival or artist - the possibilities are endless.
Can I receive AM and FM on digital radio?
Digital radios come in a range of different models. To ensure
your radio receives digital radio services in Australia it must be
DAB+ enabled. Most DAB+ radios can also receive analogue
FM, and some even AM. However, where coverage is available,
you’ll always be able to hear your favourite AM and FM stations
simulcast on DAB+ in digital
radio quality sound. Just
look for the blue digital
radio logo on the
product pack or
in-store or check
the details on
the packaging
before
you buy.
Will AM and FM radio be switched off soon?
There are no plans at this stage to switch off AM and FM radio
services. As there are an estimated five radio devices per home,
listeners must be given time to change their radios before any
discussion of the switch off of analogue services. In addition,
planning needs to continue for the switch on of digital services to
the rest of Australia outside of the five metropolitan capital cities.
Is digital radio the same as internet radio?
No, digital radio is broadcast free to air over the airwaves via DAB+
technology. Internet-only radio services are streamed over the
telecommunications networks and incur a download cost which
varies depending on the internet service provider package. Free to
air broadcast radio stations also stream their current radio stations
plus any new digital services on the internet as well as broadcasting, so the content can be accessed on both platforms.
When I first turned on my digital radio I couldn’t hear
all my favourite stations.
When you first switch on your digital radio simply press the “full
scan” or “auto tune” button so that all the stations in your area can
be stored in the memory of the radio. For further information refer to
your radio user guide or check the digitalradioplus.com.au website.
If your radio doesn’t automatically update with new stations, keep
checking the website for current stations on air and regularly
autotune to pick up new content such as the pop up stations.
Will I experience a delay with digital radio?
Latency is a part of digital systems generally and applies equally
to digital TV. Approximately 3-4 seconds of latency for DAB+ digital
radio is unavoidable resulting from system implementation delays.
There is a trade-off between reducing these delays and the
likelihood of errors being transmitted. CRA has worked closely with
broadcasters to minimise the delays as far as it is possible to do so.
Buffering delays may also be experienced in digital receivers; these
are not related to the actual DAB+ broadcasts.
Is digital radio available in all suburbs within the five
metropolitan capitals?
Radio is planned by the Government into specific licence areas.
Generally digital reception is good, however some postcodes
and suburbs covering large regions may contain areas that
do not receive optimal reception because of building or terrain
shielding. The digital radio team have commenced the installation of equipment to boost coverage in some areas. Commercial
Radio Australia (CRA) requests that listeners advise them of any
coverage issues by emailing their street name, suburb, state and
postcode to info@digitalradioplus.com. au. This feedback will
help to determine areas which require coverage improvements
and will be used to improve future coverage.
When will I be able to receive digital radio in other
areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Adelaide and Perth?
Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has already started planning
the digital radio rollout in other areas throughout Australia, low
power DAB+ digital radio trials have switched on in Canberra and
Darwin. CRA is working with the Federal Government to plan and
to allocate VHF Band III spectrum in regional areas for the rollout of
digital radio services across Australia.
How do I receive digital radio in my car?
Digital radio is available across a huge range of vehicles as both
standard and an option. A vast range of the Audi and BMW
come with digital radio as standard while Mercedes offers it as
standard across their entire range. The Infiniti Q50 along with
Lexus CT, ES, GS, RX and LX models come with digital radio as
standard, while the Skoda Yeti, Range Rover and Range Rover
Sport, Jaguar’s F-Type and the full Mini Range have digital radio
as an option. The high end Toyota Aurion and Landcruiser
models, Nissan X-Trail, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, Ford Kuga,
Falcon, Territory and Transit Van all come with digital radio as
standard. Luxury vehicles including Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari,
Maserati and McLaren have digital radio as standard on most of
their models, while Lamborghini and Porsche offer it as an option
across their whole range. Truck manufacturers including Hino,
Isuzu, Fuso, Cat and UD all offer digital radio as standard across
their whole range. The uptake of digital radio among vehicle
manufacturers is rapidly growing, so please see our digital radio
website for the latest information.
Sydney: 2GB, 2CH, 2UE, hit104.1 2Day FM, Triple M, Sky Sports Radio, KIIS 1065, 2SM, Nova 96.9, Stardust Radio, Buddha, More Digital, Fairfax Radio News Talk
Sport, Coles Radio, Koffee, The Edge Digital, WSFM, smoothfm 95.3, Triple M Classic Rock, PureGold ‘80s, PureGold ‘90s, The Range, Chemist Warehouse
Remix, Gorilla Super Digi, Zoo Super Digi, Fun Super Digi, Dance Super Digi, Kinderling Kids, Sky Sports Radio, Sky Sports Radio 2, Sky Thoroughbred Central,
SBS, ABC and some community stations. Melbourne: hit101.9 Fox FM, KIIS 101.1, Gold 104.3, SEN 1116, 3AW, Magic, Triple M, Nova 100, smoothfm 91.5, RSN Racing &
Sport, RSN - Carnival, RSN - Carnival 2, Loveland, Kinderling Kids, Stardust Radio, Koffee, Coles Radio, The Edge Digital, Buddha, Triple M Classic Rock, MyMP,
Fairfax Radio News Talk Sport, Aussie Digital, Koool, PureGold ‘80s, PureGold ‘90s, Chemist Warehouse Remix, SBS, ABC and some community stations.
Brisbane: 4BC, Magic882, hit105, Triple M, Nova 106.9, RadioTAB, 97.3FM, Triple M Classic Rock, Stardust Radio, Buddha, Loveland, 4TAB Digital Two, Coles Radio,
Fairfax Radio News Talk Sport, The Edge Digital, smoothfm, Kinderling Kids, Koffee, 4KQ, PureGold ‘80s, PureGold ‘90s, The Range, Chemist Warehouse Remix,
ABC, SBS and some community stations. Adelaide: FIVEaa, Mix 102.3 FM, hit107, Triple M, smoothfm, Nova 91.9, Cruise, Triple M Classic Rock, Coles Radio, Stardust
Radio, Kinderling Kids, Fairfax Radio News Talk Sport, Buddha, Triple M Modern Rock, Loveland, Koffee, PureGold ‘80s, PureGold ‘90s, Chemist Warehouse Remix,
The Edge Digital, ABC, SBS and some community stations. Perth: 6iX, 6PR, 96FM, Triple M Modern Rock, Mix 94.5FM, hit92.9, Nova 93.7, Triple M, Triple M Classic Rock,
Buddha, Loveland, Coles Radio, Fairfax Radio News Talk Sport, Kinderling Kids, My Perth Digital, KIX Perth Digital, X Digital, smoothfm, ABC, SBS and some community
stations. Canberra trial: 2CA, 2CC, Mix 106.3, 104.7, Buddha, The Edge Digital, My Canberra Digital, KIX Canberra Digital, ABC and SBS Radio stations. Darwin trial:
Hot 100, Mix 104.9,Top Country, Classic Rock, and RadioTAB.
Information about these topics can be found at digitalradioplus.com.au
Commercial Radio Australia Ltd
2009
Advance
ABN 52
059 731 467 Planner
commercialradio.com.au
Level 5, 88 Foveaux Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Sydney Australia
T 02 9281 6577
F 02 9281 6599
W commercialradio.com.au
Revised April 2015