Well, I just Tweeted this:
"In 2015 all UK FM radio switches to Digital. That means 31 MILLION cars (+vans +trucks) will need new radios. New cars NOW don't have them."
Background:
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The challenges facing the motor industry in meeting the 2013 deadline for all new vehicles to have digital radios were explored when the House of Lords Communications Committee questioned SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. By 2015, when the FM content will move to digital radio, all vehicles on the road should be equipped to receive the digital signal.
“A pan-European approach to the introduction of digital radio in vehicles is vital to a successful switchover," said Everitt (not my favourite person).
"Every one of the 31 million vehicles currently on UK roads will be affected by the switchover, so coverage and content concerns must be satisfied, in addition to a means of converting existing FM radios to receive the digital signal."
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Surely, for this "target date" to be achieved, all cars should be having digital radios fitted now? I mean, who wants an aftermarket radio slapped in their new-ish car? Goodmans in your BMW, anyone?
But new cars (in 99% of cases) aren't getting them at the moment. This will force consumers into a (costly) upgrade. Also, the 2015 date is a "target". We all know what happens to these Government targets.
My customers who have had DAB radios fitted as (costly) options have consistently said their reception seems patchy, weak and prone to losing signals. DAB is a poor technology.
Ofcom have said that only when 50% of listening is done on digital radios will the countdown to switchover start. Hard to see that being the case for home radios, never if they include car radios.
Can you imagine radio stations and advertisers being happy with accepting just 50% of the current audience as an acceptable amount?
I think 2025 is more likely for this switchover, having seen the evidence - and by then it is far more likely that internet streamed entertainment will be available (and prevalent) in cars - via a PC embedded instead of a radio.
Discuss?
Ling
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 2 Mar 10 at 19:11
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