New Zealand In Waiting, While Australia Readies For Trials

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New Delhi: : New Zealanders like to think that they are world leaders, according to Radio New Zealand’s Matt Finn. Consider this. In 1893, this was the first country in the world to give women the vote; in 1903, it was again the first country to pass the radio-communications legislation; and in 1937, it established the first universal welfare system. When it comes to technology, New Zealand wants to believe that it is a leader there too. Whether it’s for Ernest Rutherford, Miles Barnett or Richard Pearse, technology has been close to the heart of New Zealanders.

But, talk of digital radio technology, and “New Zealand is watching the rest of the world,” as Mr Finn puts it. However, there are about 10 radio stations, including public-funded National Radio and Concert FM, on its direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platform. Also, Radio NZ International, the short wave arm of Radio NZ, plans to buy a DRM transmitter within the next two years. It also wants to provide Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) receivers to 15 Pacific stations that are relaying RNZI and simulcast on analogue for five years, till shortwave listeners can buy DRM receivers.

As for commercial radio in New Zealand, there isn’t much excitement about experimenting with digital, says Mr Finn. One of the reasons for being low key on digital radio: Lack of adequate funds.

In the context of tech application, Mr Finn lists out the pros and cons for DRM, In-Band-On-Carrier (IBOC) and Eureka 147 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). “Simulcasting, as with IBOC, and as should be possible with DRM, is critical so that current analogue broadcast can continue with new digital ones added.” Significant work has been done in this country to bring two antenna systems into spec for DRM. Another idea that was thrown up by Mr Finn was that simulcasting could allow extra stations, splitting to two formats. Also, going full digital could reduce the number of transmitters required.

On Eureka 147, he says that New Zealand’s topography and population distribution is not as suited to line of site technologies such as FM and Eureka 147. “Eureka 147 seems to have finally succeeded in the UK due to the number of programme streams available. The New Zealand radio market place probably can’t sustain many more radio stations,” according to him.