***German DAB Licenses Issued
(March 15)
The German federal telecommunications regulation body
Regulierungsbehurde fur Telekommunikation und Post has allocated
the first frequencies for the regular terrestrial transmission of
DAB services. Deutsche Telekom was granted T-DAB licenses in the
FM and the 1.5GHz spectrum covering the regional East German
states Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thuringen.
According to a statement issued by the Bonn-based authority,
Telekom has taken over all responsibilities for the deployment
and development of DAB transmission networks following an
agreement with the individual states. Telekom’s exclusive right
to operate the DAB transmitters is valid until 2014.
License applications were also made for DAB transmissions in
Berlin and Bavaria, though the regulatory body is yet to make a
decision on these states. It is expected that the remaining Bund-
eslander will follow by the end of this year. The regional media
authorities are responsible for the allocation of the available
DAB space to individual broadcasters and content providers. In
several states such as Saarland, Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria,
tenders for regular DAB services have been invited already.
Currently, DAB trials are carried out in several regional states.
DAB is expected to ultimately replace existing FM services in
Germany between 2010 and 2015.
Wave Issue 9036 4/6/99 Article 4-01