Germany

[DE] DAB comes to the Saarland

IRIS 1996-8:1/6

Andrea Schneider

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 11 July 1996, the Saarland Broadcasting Authority (LAR), Deutsche Telekom and the Saarland Prime Minister's Office concluded an outline agreement on the investigation and testing of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) as part of the Saarland's multimedia project.

In addition to using digital technology for broadcasting, the project will centre on testing and introducing data broadcasting and other additional services (radio-related and other data services), which will be made available by the participating broadcasters and other providers. Possibilities of co-ordinating blocks and exchanging programmes with broadcasters in Rheinland-Pfalz , France and Luxembourg will be explored, and conclusions and findings exchanged with neighbouring pilot projects in the Saarland-Lorraine-Luxembourg area. At least five audio programmes are to be broadcast on the DAB frequency block allocated to the Saarland. The LAR identifies potential providers by public tender and selects them in accordance with the Land Broadcasting Act. The project partners have agreed to set up a DAB project bureau in the Saarland to take practical charge of the project. The Media Psychology Research Institute (MEFIS) and the Institut für Europäisches Medienrecht (EMR), Saarbrücken, are involved in the research which accompanies the project.