Solaris Mobile, the Dublin based operator of hybrid
satellite and terrestrial wireless networks, has announced the launch of EUR
RADIO – a new, free, pan-European digital satellite radio demonstration
platform which will serve the European Union region.
The new free-to-air distribution service platform, EUR
RADIO, will be used initially for marketing and demonstration purposes but
could become the catalyst for a commercial service, providing listeners across
the EU with a bouquet of radio channels, both public and private, covering the
majority of European languages.
The bouquet will encompass genres such as popular general
entertainment, news and music along with rich media and interactive
entertainment capabilities, which should prove attractive to a wide variety of
listeners.
The demonstration platform also has the capacity to
provide enriched infotainment with new in-car data services and will run as a
complementary service to traditional national FM, DAB or S-Band services+.
The first phase will include the following European radio
stations; HIT RADIO FFH (Hessen/Germany)and planet radio (Hessen/Germany).
The platform will also include the TV channel, France 24 (France).
The new digital audio service will complement existing
national services and offer users unique benefits not seen before when crossing
member state borders and using broadcast networks. EUR Radio demonstrates how
listeners in the near future will be able to tune into a radio station in their
native language regardless of territory or location.
Once tuned into the station of choice, reception and
broadcast quality will remain constant and of superior digital quality whilst
traveling across country borders within the EU, a first for broadcast customers
within Europe.
“We are delighted to be launching EUR RADIO, Solaris
Mobile’s pan-European digital satellite radio demonstration platform which will
broadcast over the European Union by utilising the S-Band capacity on our W2A
satellite and complement our national services. This is a very exciting step
for us, and we hope that it will serve as a stepping stone to achieve the full
potential of a pan-European digital radio service,” said Steve Maine, chief
executive officer, Solaris Mobile.
Solaris Mobile will make its S-Band capacity on the W2A
satellite available to facilitate EUR Radio, which will go live this year. The
EUR Radio service offering may also be available in densely populated areas
[when line of sight of the satellite may be restricted] through the use of
Solaris Mobile’s existing national CGC networks.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
