Transition to Digital Sound Broadcasting at Vatican Radio ©Radio Vaticana 2016

Vatican Radio Public broadcaster on the Vatican ~72 hours of Radio programs per day 40 program languages Delivery platforms SW, FM, VHF DAB+, Satellite (C & KU band) Online live & on demand

Digital standards Digitalization of AM (MF-HF) DRM Digitalization of FM (VHF, L-band) DAB now DAB+

AM (MF-HF) timetable Preliminary tests in 2001 Vatican Radio Joins DRM in 2002 2003-2006 two MW and two SW transmitters modified Planned services Now on air one SW service to India 2008 DRM Tests in the 26MHz band for local coverage. Results in ITU Rep. BS.2251 Developing program now in standby

FM (VHF and L band) timetable GE-06 agreement assigned frequencies to the Vatican Service area includes all the Vatican enclaves in Rome In 2007 installed two transmitters In 2009 MFN in the Rome Area completed 2010 Trials on L-Band

FM/VHF trials In 2011 tested for one month DRM+ in VHF band II (103,8MHz). One FM Frequency switched to digital in some timeslots Many measurements campaigns carried out in a very difficult environment Results included in ITU Rep. BS.2384 “Implementation considerations for the introduction and transition to digital terrestrial sound and multimedia broadcasting”

FM / VHF digitalization DAB Multiplex launched in 2007 with the same content of FM 2009-2010 tests with DMB 2012 when all the frequency resources became available thanks to introduction od DTT in Italy completed the SFN in Rome

2013: Reorganization of local distribution in the Rome Area Main purposes: – to reduce the broadcasting costs incurred by the use of high power FM transmitters; – to reorganize the MW usage; – to adapt and to upgrade the local distribution network to the use of new more attractive technologies; – to reorganize programs schedules introducing new contents in order to improve the program offer.

2013 Reorganization of local distribution in the Rome Area Actions: Partial FM Switch off during night time; three new program schedules to be broadcasted on the DAB/DAB+ network around the clock

2013 Reorganization of local distribution in the Rome Area Results: nighttime partial replacement of FM with Digital broadcast offered an immediate economic benefit even if the DAB is simulcast around the clock for audience convenience better audio quality and immunity from the interferences suffered by the analogue FM when operated in an extremely congested band such as the case in Rome. possibility to complement audio programs with additional contents such as PAD and MOT slideshow, offers a better listening experience More details contained in ITU Rep. BS.2384

Thank you ©Radio Vaticana 2016