The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) is underway in Amsterdam with more than 1,400 exhibitors of showcasing the latest technology for the entertainment industry.

Around 50,000 people are expected over the six day event which began on Thursday.

AM & FM transmitter manufacturer Nautel is showcasing its digital radio technology together with the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium.

The partners are hosting a special reception on Saturday called ‘Building a Billion’.

Recently, Nautel began deployment of the first of 27 new state-of-the-art DRM transmitters to public broadcaster All India Radio (AIR), which has committed to rolling out the digital technology by 2017.

The plans have been billed as the world’s largest digital radio initiative to date and have the potential to reach more than a billion people.

New 100kW, 200 kW and 300 kW transmitters – all configured for DRM30 – will be placed throughout the country.

Among other benefits, DRM30 will allow AIR’s medium wave and shortwave broadcasts to be heard in almost FM quality.

But like all digital radio platforms, the technology requires the replacement of analogue radio sets.

Speaking about its presence at the event, Chuck Kelly, Nautel’s Director of Sales said: “In particular, our recent expansion into the television market and the excitement over the DRM deployment in India will be of great interest to our worldwide partners as well as show attendees. Nautel now has transmission solutions for every type of radio broadcaster in the world as well as the low power TV community.”

DRM said its presence at IBC would be its strongest ever, with two presentations being made by the Consortium’s chair and technical committee chair on Friday and Saturday.

Ruxandra Obreja, the Consortium Chairman said: “The three events will offer a chance to meet the top specialists and representatives of the Consortium membership.  We want to get the key players and the public convinced that DRM is indeed a very smart radio solution for them.”