Nautel Transmitters to be Used in World’s Largest Digital Radio Deployment

Source: broadcastermagazine.com (Broadcaster Canada's Communication Magazine; By Broadcaster

Date: 7^th December, 2012

Nautel today announced that the company has been given the honor of participating in the world's largest digital radio deployment to date.India's Prasar Bharati has issued orders for six Nautel NX Series 300 kW medium wave transmitters configured for DRM30 transmission. The purchase is part of All India Radio's plans to upgrade facilities throughout India to DRM30 digital broadcasting.

All India Radio serves 99% of the people in India via their analog broadcasting service, covering a broad range of languages and dialects through the country. They now plan to add the final percentage point to their coverage and convert all signals to digital in the process. This transition will allow AIR to use alternate platforms such as podcasting, SMS, webcasting and mobile services, and offer a 24-hour news channel along with other programming. Additional services such as Interactive Text Transmission and disaster warning are also planned.

Nautel NX Series MW transmitters were first introduced in 2007. These high power transmitters occupy a surprisingly small footprint for their power and offer the industry's highest efficiency (90%) along with AM precorrection, unmatched linearity and Nautel's exclusive Advanced User Interface. Prasar Bharati's purchase of six 300 kW Nautel NX Series transmitters brings the total deployment of this series to over fourteen megawatts, making it the most successful medium wave product line in the industry. Working with Nautel on the deployment are Comcon, Nautel's in-country partner along with Altronic, providing dummy loads and Kintronic Labs, supplying matching systems for the project.

"We are greatly honored to be part of this project," said Hal Kneller, Nautel Regional Sales Manager – Europe andAfrica. "As a member of the DRM Consortium executive and steering boards, it thrills me that Nautel has been chosen to bringIndiainto the age of digital radio with this technology. Not only will listeners hear high quality sound on AM broadcasts, they will also enjoy many of the multi-media features that DRM has to offer. Millions of DRM receivers will now be in demand!"

"What a tremendous opportunity for the radio industry in India," said Peter Conlon, Nautel President and CEO. "Prasar Bharati and All India Radio have embarked on a project that will bring great flexibility and a world of possibilities to broadcasting in that country. Nautel is excited to be a part of this project, and we look forward to working with AIR as they proceed with their digital deployment."

Link: http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/pressroom/productDetail.aspx?id=10525