The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium and the Indonesian public broadcaster, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), have announced a DRM30 digital radio trial and workshop in Bogor from March 24 to 27.

The actual demonstration on the MW transmitter (1242 kHz) with a power of 6.5 kW will take place on Wednesday, March 25, from 0900-1700 local time.

The demo will be conducted by RRI and key Consortium members: Fraunhofer IIS, GatesAir, RFmondial and Transradio.

During the workshop attendees will be invited to observe the results of the DRM30 trial and to learn more about the full DRM standard.

RRI is exploring ways of efficiently covering the challenging broadcasting landscape of Indonesia which has coastal lowlands, large islands and mountainous areas.

Sunarya Ruslan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RRI Indonesia, says: “We are looking at the weaknesses that we experience currently in analogue radio with a desire to offer radio broadcast services that are economical, easy, and mobile, offering the same good quality to Indonesian citizens, whether they are in big or small cities, even in remote areas and whether they are farmers, fishermen, government officials or private citizens.” 

Muhammad Rohanudin, Technology and New Media Director of RRI, adds: “RRI is currently reviewing the appropriate technologies to be used as a delivery medium. These technologies include DRM and we hope that the DRM trial in the Bogor area will provide us with options and a better understanding of digital radio broadcasting.”

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman, is delighted to have the Consortium working so closely with RRI: “The DRM trial and workshop will be run together with Indonesian specialists and will give them the opportunity to experience the quality, advantages and cost effectiveness of the DRM digital radio broadcasting while we will learn more about this important Asian market.”