A Swiss HD Radio field trial entered its second phase after adding a repeater for the Lucerne region in summer 2007.
The project had tested the US digital-radio standard under European regulatory conditions and Switzerland’s terrain since March 2006. Mobile and stationary receivers were distributed to selected listeners in central Switzerland to assess everyday reception and market viability.
Technical workshops examined frequency-allocation simulations, receiver availability, surround sound, addressable services, electronic programme guides and visual radio.
More than 200 specialists from 13 countries attended the second HD Radio Days meeting in Lucerne on 4 and 5 October 2007, where organisers presented results and possible deployment models.
A final field-trial report was planned for early 2008. Subject to completion of the trial and approval by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communications, introduction was projected for the end of 2009.
A European HD Radio Alliance was also being formed to support ETSI and ITU standardisation, regulatory work and frequency planning.
