A digital radio conference titled “Digital Broadcasting Standard DRM: Results of the Experimental Zone and Development Prospects in the Russian Federation,” was held in St. Petersburg, Russia last month.

The event was organised by FSUE Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network, Digital Systems LLC and St. Petersburg State Telecommunications University. 

It featured a number of speakers who shared insights about digital radio in Russia and highlighted the initial results of the DRM for FM trial in St. Petersburg.

Two demonstrations of digital radio broadcasting comparing the sound of FM and DRM formats were also held at the event.

According to reports, trial results thus far show that for “stable reception of a digital signal, significantly lower field strengths and signal-to-noise ratios are required, which allows achieving parity of service areas with FM broadcasting, ceteris paribus, an order of magnitude lower transmitter power.”

Dr Albert Waal represented DRM Member RFmondial and the Consortium at the largest conference.

He shared two reports – the first focused on reviewing the DRM standard and the second talked about the experiences other countries had in implementing the standard, like India and China.

According to news reports, Deputy Director General of RTRS Viktor Demyanovich Goreglyad spoke “about the prospects of the digital broadcasting system DRM in the Russian Federation. The representative of RTRS said that he considers the DRM Simulcast technology in the FM band suitable for switching to digital broadcasting, as it takes into account the interests of the radio industry, allowing the organization of digital broadcasting while preserving analogue FM.”