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

2. 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

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

4. AM (MF-HF) timetable Preliminary tests in 2001
Vatican Radio Joins DRM in 2002
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

5. 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

6. 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”

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. Thank you
©Radio Vaticana 2016