Broadcasting organizations all over the world have been switching over to digital technology as it has an edge over the conventional analog technology. Manufacturers are switching over to production of digital transmission equipment and in the coming eight to ten years the production of conventional analog broadcast equipment may totally stop. As digitization is a compulsion, a sub-group of the Indian Planning Commission on 'Going Digital' has been formed. It is headed by Member Secretary, Planning Commission. It has laid down the path for migration from analog transmission to digital, as under:

Step I - Commencement of digital terrestrial broadcast in Delhi - 2010

Step II - Commencement of digital terrestrial broadcast in all mega cities - 2011

Step III - Commencement of digital terrestrial broadcast in Tier II & Tier III cities - 2012

Step IV - Commencement of digital terrestrial broadcast in all other areas - 2013

Digitization of All India Radio (AIR)

AIR has adopted Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology for digitization of transmissions. DRM is the universal, open standard, digital radio system for short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave digital radio, for frequencies below 30MHz. It has been endorsed by ITU, and is standardized as ETSI ES 201 980. DRM provides near-FM sound quality plus the ease-of-use that comes from digital transmissions. The improvement over AM is immediately noticeable. DRM can be used for a range of audio content, and has the capacity to integrate text and data. This additional content can be displayed on RM receivers to enhance the listening experience. In the FM band, this technology is called DRM+ and its trials have been successful and technical specifications have nearly been finalized. This technology aims to use the same FM band and can be introduced in existing FM band for switching over to digital.

DRM+ will offer CD quality with 5.1 surround sound. DRM operation will result in substantial savings in power consumption and also provide additional channels within the existing bandwidth for earning revenue.

AIR has launched regular DRM transmissions in Short Wave band from January 16, 2009. The DRM signals are being beamed to UK and West Europe on 9550 KHz. AIR has also started DRM transmission in NVIS mode for coverage around Delhi, up to a radius of 800 km in Short Wave Band on 6100 KHz from January 16, 2009.

Replacement/upgradation of analog transmitters by DRM Transmitters in the 11^th Eleventh Plan

Medium wave transmitters of AIR, provide extensive coverage inside our country. In the 11th, 34 analog medium wave transmitters are proposed to be replaced by new DRM transmitters and 36 existing MW transmitters are to be converted for DRM operation.

One Megawatt analog transmitters at Rajkot and Chinsurah (Kolkata) are being replaced by DRM transmitters. The transmitters provide coverage inside as well as outside the country.

External Services are very important as they keep the people of Indian origin, and the world, informed about the policies of the Indian Government. The information is being provided through SW transmitters of AIR. One of the 250 KW shortwave transmitters at Khampur (Delhi) has already been converted for DRM operation. Conversion of four 250 kW SW transmitters - two at Aligarh and two at Khampur (Delhi) - to the DRM mode is under process.

AIR proposes replacement of 500 kW analog SW transmitters by DRM transmitters at Bangalore which provides Vividh Bharati programs to most parts of India.

AIR also proposes to replace another four analog Short-Wave transmitters by DRM transmitters, two 250-kW transmitter at Khampur and two 100-kW transmitter at Kingsway.

All India Radio proposes to set up 24 DRM+ compatible FM transmitters of 1kW and 5kW (12 each).

At the end of 11th Plan, it is estimated that 70 percent of the country will receive DRM transmission.