Digital Radio: Expanding the horizon for listeners

Features of the week:

The coming of Digital Radio (DR) in Europe has given boost to expansion of the horizon of information dissemination, reports REMMY NWEKE

THIS year’s Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) held in Berlin, otherwise known as the World of Consumer Electronics exhibition, ended earlier in the month, with the proponents of the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) making their mark in the minds of European citizens and mostly those who trooped into the venue of the annual event.

DRM came out of a consortium formed in 1998 by a small group of broadcasters and manufacturers, who joined hands to create a universal digital system for the broadcasting bands below 30 Megahertz (MHz) in the shortwave, medium-wave/AM and long wave.

Known as the open standard, DRM has endorsement from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), International Union (ITU) and International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC).

The consortium

The consortium in March this year, voted to commence the process of expanding the system to the broadcasting bands up to 120 MHz, and the design, development and testing phases of this extension is due to be completed between 2007 and 2009.

DRM has since become an international consortium of broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, research institutions, broadcasting unions, regulatory authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Metamorphosing into a 91-member group as at June 2005, comprising member-nations from Ecuador, Germany, China, United States (US), Finland, Malaysia, United Kingdom (UK), Japan, Spain and Australia, DR is further referred to as satellite radio (SR), due to its compatibility with satellite broadcasting.

However, Digital Radio is made up of two broadcasting standards currently in use in Europe and Berlin being the presumed center of Europe, was the best occasion to sell DR to the populace, especially at IFA. These standards include the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM).

With DAB already on air in most European nations it is now available mainly in national and local services and is reportedly being sought after by over 1.5 million radio sets. On the other hand, DRM is a standard developed to allow digital broadcasting in the long, medium and short-wave hands.

Experts said that with DR, the era of fine tuning a station would be over in search of a better reception. Rather, it allows listeners to scroll up and down through a list of available stations.

Selecting the stations

This is achieved by mere pressing a button to select stations without much ado, thus giving the user access to every radio station on air at the user’s neighbourhood, including AM, FM and even digital.

Champion Infotel investigations revealed that, for instance, if a listener has tuned to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and moved from the neighbourhood, he or she need not re-tune as long as there is signals, hence the radio set when switched on would automatically find the best available frequency at the new area.

DR, additionally, does not cause listeners what analyst described as ‘noise’, which has been the bane of the analogue broadcast system.

Director of publication, ‘Radio Programme Guide’ a special package introduced to further boost DR diffusion, Mr. Philippe Chapot, said “Today, DR is expanding everywhere in Europe and France’s future is in the hands of the Audiovisual Council (CSA),” in this respect and must be decided before the end of the year.

Mobility capacity

The Director also described radio as wonderful media and is not just an accompaniment but a media to listen to because of the content and mobility capacity.

The importance of DR in Europe has motivated BBC and Radio Netherlands International (RTL), Deutshland Welle among others to find it convenient to launch this service for their teeming listeners.

Project Director, BBC, Mr. John Sykes said that the corporation had always been in search of new ways of reaching its audience and this dream was officially harnessed on September 1, this year, when the station launched a digital radio service in English to the Benelux countries (Europe) and some neighbouring parts of France and Germany.

BBC through MW frequency 1296KHz promises major service of 18 hours a day, which is supplemented with digital transmission on SW via Telenor of Norway and VTC of UK, hence enabling the corporation to operate through its analogue and digital networks internationally.

“Digital Radio is about increased listener choice, and a revolution in the way we use radios. No more fiddling around with frequency dials and wavebands; you select your station by name and the radio would find the best frequency automatically,” he buttressed.

Disclosing also that BBC is tinkering on introducing an electronic programme guide to allow listeners using radios with a record function to effectively create their own schedule.

For the World Services’ Controller, Distribution and Technology at BBC, Mr. Mike Cronk, the corporation looks forward to seeing digital radio fully integrated into mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

“We’re keen to open up a dialogue with our audience, and the back-channel provided by Third Generation (3G) and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) telephony means, we would stay in touch with people on the move,” Mr. Cronk declared.

What you should know about DR

With 25 FM radio stations in Berlin already hooked to DR and 17 other channels in Germany that could be listened to in Berlin as at the time of filing this report, there are some significant broadcasting different formats and technologies, potential listeners should note, presently in Europe.

These include that radios with DR logo enable listeners to simply own a DR receiver – radio set – and receive signals freely. Those with FM mean that listeners need FM receiver to receive freely too as well as AM entailing the receiver must have an AM band to get signals.

Those with ‘web’ signs means users or listeners need an internet subscription to receive free and audio software installed. ‘Free’ on the hand means a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscription and a free box decoder that is ungrouped to enable reception, while ‘NOOS’ requires subscription and a decoder to receiver NOOS cable, as well as Astra and C+ for those wishing to receive signals from CanalSAT and Astra Satellite, which could be free or payable subscription decoders.

Any hope for Nigeria?

This development is coming as Nigeria has less than five community radio stations, despite some state government radios’ claim to have community radio status. Presently only the University of Lagos (UNILAG) radio could be regarded as purely community radio which requires huge sum to even get the license, let alone acquire equipment.

It is relevant, therefore, to note that as long as little or so-called community radios are not in the hands of the private sector and civil societies, the gap between the society and citizens in a country like Nigeria would continue to grow.

Also, there is need to rethink in the place of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) so as to strengthen the bid to close digital gap in the country by turning out motivating policies to this effect, that would attract investors.

The earlier this is done, the better for the nation and her citizens, mostly those who basically depend on radio to receive information and know what is happening, especially in the rural areas.

So, when next you buy a radio, check well to know what it takes to keep date with digital revolution, remembering that any DR radio offers free receiver option while satellite aspect of it is by subscription.

Worrying aspect is that in no time this brands of digital radios will flood African market and Nigeria being the largest concentration of this continent will witness the effect immensely.

Connect Tech excites presidency with EGOS

by Remmy Nweke

CHIIEF Executive, Connect Technologies Limited, Mr. Chris Uwaje, has listed the imports of a locally developed electronic government (e-govt) application, known as ‘Enterprise e-Governance Operations Solution’ (EGOS), even as the Presidency was excited on the performance of the solution.

Mr. Uwaje, who disclosed this to Champion Infotel recently said that, EGOS performance thrilled a cross section of Presidential advisers, ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general, at a just concluded presidential retreat held at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa, Abuja, during a presentation.

He said the presentation was in line with the federal government’s e-strategies initiative through the public, private partnership (PPP) window, which he noted, is the dream of the indigenous software developers.

Enumerating on the importance of the solution, like EGOS, the chief architect informed that it is a core engine for government-to-government (G2G) application based on software that is 100 per cent indigenous effort, resulting from over 26 months of research, design and development cycle.

Pointing out that the solution, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) groupware for government entities, is platform for the new world order based on information age.

He noted that as the world transits into the information age, new conditions were being created for future economic cum industrial successes.

“We fashion the Nigerian response within the context of governance to sustain 21^st century rapid development competitiveness, and bridge the emerging digital and knowledge divide,” he declared.

EGOS, therefore, promises to enhance the capability of government to organise, manage and deliver resource information for the three arms of government; executive, legislative and judiciary.

He emphasised that it would also help in task allocation, workflow administration and management, regulation, enforcement, national planning for ministries’ budgeting, government projects, litigation releases, procurement and inventory as well as human resource database.

This is in addition to having the provision for commodities' investment management, small business and human resource capacity building.

Mr. Uwaje, known for his active role in pioneering the National Policy for Information Technology in the country, particularly the section on e-government, said, the G2G portfolio’s primary goal is to enable federal, state and local governments to more easily work together to better serve the populace.

To achieve this goal, he stressed, government must make it easier for states and localities to meet reporting requirements, whereas promoting the use of performance measurements.

“State and local governments will see significant administrative savings and will be able to improve programme delivery because the data necessary to measure performance will be more accurate and timely,” he said.

CHAMS honours 14 staff @ 20

by Remmy Nweke
COMPUTER Hardware and Maintenance Services (CHAMS) has honoured 14 of its personnel for outstanding performance and for long service at the 20^th anniversary held in Lagos.

The honours’ list was topped by some management and junior staff of its three main entities within the CHAMS family, including for being the most diligent and dedicated senior and junior staff as well as best staff of the year.

Managing director, Chams Nigeria Limited, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, managing director, SuperCard, Mr. Femi Williams and General Manager, Paymaster, Mr. Jimi Ademosu, were recognised for long service awards.

Others honoured for having spent between seven and 14 years in the company were namely Idowu Logile, Kennedy Palmer, Yussuf Kadiri, Yomi Oyebanjo, Mrs Olushola Omotayo, Jumoke Molade, Debbie Olutimi, Taiwo Bajela, and Wasiu Falade.

The awards for Most diligent and dedicated junior staff went to Wasiu Falade of Chams; Gabriel Udoh of Supercard; while most diligent and dedicated senior staff, Jumoke Molade of Chams made the list. The outstanding educational performance was captured by Idowu Logile of Chams and most common best staff of the year was given to Wasiu Falade.

In his speech to the occasion, Mr. Aladekomo described it as a tale of two cities with mixed feelings, noting that the firm, CHAMS, since established September 1985 has carried out pioneer business platforms in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in the country.

In 1992, he said, CHAMS took a new dimension by de-emphasising sales and services to delve into research and development of new technologies.

The success of this step, he said, resulted into card technology personalization, identity card, enrolment logistics and access control services that the industry now reckons with CHAMS.

With a vision to remain innovative, he said, CHAMS have to its credit subsidiaries such as Supercard, Card Center and Paymaster, which are into different IT solutions cut across intelligent multi-application card based biometric solutions and web portal, production of different ranges of cards including Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) scratch cards, Subscriber Identification Module (SIM), Automated Teller Machine (ATM) among other payment platforms.

According to Corporate Affairs officer at CHAMS, Mr. Yemi Akinleye, more is yet to unfold as the firm strives to deploy its electronic payment solution, ChamsAccess service terminals across the nation, beginning with major cities like Lagos and Abuja.

Delegates to vote @ WCIT-06

by Remmy Nweke

DELEGATES to the 15^th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) slated to hold in May 2006, in Austin, Texas, United States, would have the opportunity to vote on three selected global impact issues.

These issues are centered on privacy and security, digital access, and healthcare in the 21^st century.

WCIT annual convention holding between May 1 and 5, 2006, is known for gathering over 2,000 global leaders from business, government and academia to discuss IT policy, direct the future of technology and endear drive to social-economic development.

In a joint message in its monthly newsletter made available to Champion Infotel, the chief executive and president of WCIT-06, Messrs Ben Bentzin and Glyn Meek, respectively, disclosed that with the exercise, delegates would for the first time cast votes on policy proposals in these three areas.

They said proposals that receive “a plurality of votes will be published as the official recommendation of WCIT-06 and World Information Technology Services Alliance (WITSA).

Already, Accenture and Unisys are topping the list of sponsors by agreeing to bankroll two of the three key issues believed to be the focus of the next year event.

Accenture, they said, would lead the Digital Access issue, while Unisys would take that of Privacy and Security aspect.

This development came as WCIT-06 has introduced ‘international ambassadors’ to assist in spreading the word for the five-day conference.

This team, organisers said are now active in about 25 countries and are billed to have outreach efforts in 80 countries by May 2006 when the event is scheduled to hold.

Meanwhile, former Rwandan ambassador to the US, Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa, has been named to speak at the WCIT-06 board of directors meeting this November.

He would be examining how to harness IT to drive social and economic change at the meeting billed for November 8 in Texas.

Mechanic takes home Mercedes Benz car in Glo Kano draw

Motor mechanic resident in Maiduguri, Borno State in the northern Nigeria, Mr. Moses Ularam, has won a brand new Mercedes E class saloon car in the on-going Globacom’s 2nd Anniversary Double Slam promo.

"Mr. Ularam, with Glo phone number 08057125894 emerged one of the four winners in the first Kano Draw of the promo which started in August 2005."

Also winners in the draw were Mr. John Onoja with Glo number 08053474360, a civil servant attached to the Police Affairs Commission, Kaduna, won a Kia Sorento jeep and Mr. Musa Shalangwa, with Glo number 08054524092, a staff of Ministry of Works, Borno state, went home with a Honda City.

The fourth winner is with Glo number 08057203855 won also a Kia Picanto.

The winners who could not be immediately reached on the day of the draw all expressed a mixture of disbelief, surprise and joy when Globacom officials eventually got in touch with them later.

While drawing the first winner on the occasion, the Zonal Director of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Alhaji Hanshi lauded Globacom for putting together a formidable team in the region and for giving something back to the society.

He commended the growth and the competition in the telecommunications sector which has brought tariffs low and made life easier for ordinary Nigerians. He called for the same to be replicated in the power sector of the country.

The other three winners were drawn by guest of honour, Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero, represented by his heir apparent, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Kano Police Commissioner Ganiyu Dawodu, and State Special Adviser on utilities, Mallam Saidu Bello.

Globacom is giving out prizes worth N350 million in the Globacom 2nd Anniversary Double Slam promotion which is acclaimed to be the biggest promotion ever in Nigeria. It also marks the first time a corporate organization has offered houses to Nigerians in a promotion.

The prizes to be won include six town homes, six Mercedes Benz Cars, 6 Kia Sorento Jeeps and six VW Polo cars. Others are six Honda city and 12 Kia Picanto saloon cars.

In addition to the cars, all subscribers to the network are winners as they automatically win 15 per cent bonus airtime with every recharge.

Another round of draw will hold in Kano in November 2005.

GITEX-05 opens in Dubai, ITEdge makes a debut

A five-day Gulf Information Technology Expo (GITEX-05) opened Sunday at the Dubai International Convention and Exhbition Center, with Nigeria’s leading West African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) magazine, ITEdge, making a debut at the event.

Business Champion recalls that at the just concluded African Information Society Initiative (AISI) media awards 2005, ITEdge was honoured via its portal, http://www.itedgenews.com/ for local content provider category.

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"This is not restricted to any
particular mobile format like Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) ..."

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Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), organisers of GITEX-05 has also introduced route map and mobile exhibition guide to assist visitors to the annual expo in exploring the event.

The route map and mobile guide could be located online at www.mobile.gitex.com.

A press statement from ITEdge, media partners to the Asia’s leadign ICT show in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and endorsed by Mr. Segun Oruame, said the route map would be distributed to visitors on site from each exhibition halls, the mobile guide solution would detect all accessing devices on-the-fly and pass appropriate information off the website.

This, he said, is possible by auto reprocessing of the information, which is then send back to the device in real time.

“All mobile devices available in the market could benefit from this service through any General Packet Radio Sevice (GPRS) network or Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) at the event venue,” Mr. Oruame explained.

He also said this is not restricted to any particular mobile format like Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)-Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and several others.

Additionally, he said, both mobile guide and route map have been structured in a way that the list of exhibitors and floor plans are made available.

“The mobile guide will provide information about exhibitors, their location, hotel and travel information, as well as local prayer times and weather updates,” he added.

GITEX-05 would last till Thursday, September 29, this year.