By OFCOM and private initiative by Ruoss AG

A first project draft, provided to OFCOM by RuossAG, in December 2003 (“simple
translation with Online Systran!”in FEB 04)

Overview

1. Summary
2. Introduction /reasoning
3. Primary attempt goals for the field trial
4. Possible additional goals
5. Draft of timetable
6. Cost estimation
7. Who makes what?
8. Preliminary work / actual development in the USA
9. Source references

1. Summary

A working group under guidance of the Office for Communication in Switzerland
(OFCOM), accomplishes under cooperation of private specialized authority and some
private broadcasters as soon as possible a field trial for HD Radio™ in Switzerland.
The final report should be done before the end of 2006.
As basis for this suggestion the relevant recommendation of the working group
UKW-2001 was used. A goal of the trial is it to test an economic clearly more
favorable auxiliary or alternative for DAB-147 and to compile the possible effects on the
further arrangement of the FM-spectrum in Switzerland. First priority is granted to the
quality of the indoor portable supply with this attempt, and there is no intention to test the
“basics” of HD Radio™, tested elsewhere.

The budget for the field trial lies roughly estimated around Fr. 400 000.-- and should
be financed by the OFCOM within the framework of the FM authority center activities, as
well as existing work capacities .

2. Introduction /reasoning

DAB-147 is the "set" digital radio standard for the large majority of European countries.
However DAB-147, even after 10 years, did not pass the hurdle to the mass-market by far yet. It looks completely like the fact that a "fast" mass-market is no longer possible, or only with further enormous financial aids like it "exclusively" only for DAB-147 in Europe is available. In Switzerland, the situation for private FM-broadcasters for
the entrance into digital area ,looks very unfavorable! According to this situation the
majority of the private broadcasters will not be able to enter the “positives” of DAB-147
with there own means.
While the SBC (Swiss Broadcast Company) finances the development of DAB from the
“must fees” of all radio users
Thus ,meaningful potential economic alternatives to DAB-147 are to be examined seriously.
It goes thereby not primarily around the question of a "replacement" for DAB-147, but above all around it whether there is another digital terrestrial alternative in
minimum as a complementary than of DAB-147. The only within reasonable time
available, and probably economically also solution, viable for private broadcasters, seems to exist in the use of the US standard of HD Radio™ (formerly IBOC). At present, HD Radio™ is at the very beginning of the commercial introduction in the USA.

The International Telecommunication Union has with recommendation
R BS. 1114-2 (Draft) HD Radio™ excepted as to be for Europe the third digital standard
(digital system C) as "suited" explain, although specific differences between the current
FM usage in Switzerland and in the USA. Exactly in clarifying these "specific differences"
goes it with the intended field trial project.

The federation of Swiss private radios (VSP) will support this project, since it sees therein a chance, much rather to a digitization economically eligible for financing to come as with DAB-147.

The UKW-2001 team of experts recommends the further observation of the HD Radio™
and recommends the imminent execution of a HD Radio™ field trial radio in
Switzerland.(see page 46, final report)

3. Primary attempt goals for the field trial

-can, and to what extent, with today's and future frequency planning in Switzerland,
respectively with the usual ITU-412-9-frequency allocations, a coverage of HD Radio™
according to USA standard to be reached?

-which advantages and disadvantages may result and which FM-measures would have
to be taken, for successful launch of HD Radio™ in Switzerland ?Multipath ("Reflections"), can, which as well known particularly impair the coverage in Switzerland, maximum attention must be given to this circumstance within the field trial.

-comparison of the indoor coverage of FM and HD Radio™ (distribution of receivers to test households)

-which are the necessary technical adjustments in the studio, with STL and with
the transmitters. And with boosters (in small networks)

-which are the technical introduction and additional operating costs compared to traditional
FM-transmitter networks

-which advancements and auxiliary services are with HD Radio™ possible and to
expect, and within which what timeframe.

-which, compared with the USA, could be additional migration problems?


4. Possible extended goals

(not translated , deals with DAB-147 comparison tests)


5. Draft of timetable

1. Preliminary scetch of the project to OFCOM December 2003
(done Jan 04)

2. Basic decision over execution and extent by OFCOM 1.Q.2004
(Partly done Jan/Feb 04)

3. Revised trial project at OFCOM 2.Q.2004
4. Detailed project (ev. at working group UKW-2001) 3.Q 2004
5. Project at OFCOM for decision 4.Q.04 -1.Q.05
6. Execution decision by OFCOM 2.Q.2005
7. Field trial starts 1.Part 3.-4.Q.2005
8. Field trial, part II (receivers in the field) 4.Q.05 /1.Q.06
9. End of trial, final report 3.-4.Q.2006
It has to be the basic intention to have finished all the points some time earlier that
foreseen in this draft.

6. Cost estimation

-for the execution of the field trial primary goals, in particular for

-project engineering / steering

-technical test equipment (transmitter-infrastructure and measuring technique)

-lease and operating of TX-infrastructure

-100 to 200 receivers for the test households

-execution of the technical measurements and support of the test households

-desk research and final report

become the total costs on approximately Fr 400 000. A large part of these costs
could be furnished by OFCOM own contributions (FM authority
center/RM/F+V etc., existing workforce power).

-for the production and development of the field trial project (steps 1. to 5. in accordance with sketch for the time plan ) approx. Fr 35 000.— will be additionally necessary.

7. Who makes what

A small working group, under guidance of the OFCOM compiles the project and supports it up to the final report. The operational execution of the trial will be made in cooperation
between OFCOM , a private broadcaster and some vendors with engineering support.

8. Preliminary-Work / Actual Development in the USA

-Over 280 radio stations in approximately 100 markets of the USA operational by end of
2003 with HD Radio™
-Mass-Market-HD-receivers will be available before field trial start in Switzerland
-in Austria an initiative seems to appear to a HD Radio™ project as well.(crown hit radio with ORF). Possible thing in common could be considered there. Contact via Ruoss AG
available. -



-Radio Sunshine/RuossAG already gathered basis know-how over the market and
product development. Radio Sunshine would be to be been if necessary ready the "delicate" task to be the "HOST" for the digital signal for a part of the existing FM-network

-Radio Sunshine is HD Radio™ EASE member
-Isolated preliminary talks with some OFCOM people took place

9. Source references (not translated)