Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      Huawei unleashes AI beast to take on Nvidia

      28 July 2025

      Taukobong cashes in after strong Telkom performance

      27 July 2025

      Autistic and neurodivergent – and empowered by ChatGPT

      27 July 2025

      The test facing new Capitec CEO Graham Lee

      25 July 2025

      Announcing Watts & Wheels – an exciting new motoring show

      25 July 2025
    • World

      Chinese premier takes aim at ‘AI monopoly’

      28 July 2025

      AI wins gold at international maths olympiad

      22 July 2025

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Lessons from South Africa’s biggest cyberattacks

      25 July 2025

      TCS+ | First Distribution’s guide to a bulletproof cyber crisis response strategy

      24 July 2025

      TCS+ | How cyberthreats turn into cyber crises

      23 July 2025

      TCS+ | Vox’s Craig Blignaut on the data boom and the future of Wi-Fi

      22 July 2025

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » Broadcasting and Media » New digital radio trial to kick off in South Africa
    New digital radio trial to kick off in South Africa - Aldred Dreyer and Russel Jones - DRM trial DRM radio
    Aldred Dreyer and Russel Jones

    New digital radio trial to kick off in South Africa

    By Duncan McLeod29 June 2025

    Johannesburg residents will soon be able to pick up digital radio broadcasts using a promising next-generation broadcast technology called DRM, or Digital Radio Mondiale.

    The test broadcasts, a licence for which is expected imminently from communications regulator Icasa, will see three radio stations – including Joburg’s popular music station Hot 102.7FM – take to the air using the new broadcasting technology that could eventually compete with analogue FM broadcasts for South African listeners’ attention.

    All that those interested in picking up the broadcasts will need is a DRM receiver, and these are available inexpensively online – they include traditional radios as well as dongles that connect to computers or even smartphones.

    The transmitter for the new DRM trial is hosted at a high site in Northcliff in Johannesburg

    DRM and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) are competing standards that are vying for the attention of policymakers, regulators and broadcasters around the world, with DAB gaining an early edge in developed markets, especially in Europe, and DRM enjoying strong early adoption in emerging economies, including India and Indonesia. South Africa has not sided in favour of one standard over the other.

    The transmitter for the new DRM trial is hosted at a high site in Northcliff in Joburg, from where it will provide coverage across a large part of South Africa’s biggest city.

    TechCentral visited the site last week at the invitation of two of its principal backers: broadcasting industry veteran Aldred Dreyer and Russel Jones, head of signal distribution specialist BluLemon, both of whom hope DRM will eventually become the de facto standard for digital radio broadcasting in South Africa.

    Guard bands

    The trial is being led by the DRM South Africa Group, an organisation chaired by Dreyer that’s spearheading the development, roll-out and promotion of DRM radio in the country.

    Jones told TechCentral that there is considerable pent-up demand from both existing radio broadcasters and those keen to enter the industry that haven’t been able to do so due a lack of licences available in the analogue FM band.

    Read: Hiking TV licence fees won’t solve the SABC’s funding crisis

    The test DRM broadcasts will use the same frequency band as FM radio stations, but will take advantage of the “guard bands” between these analogue stations. Because the technology is digital, it uses a small fraction of the spectrum required by FM broadcasts and can coexist in the same band (87.5-108MHz). It can also utilise medium wave (525-1 605kHz; AM) and shortwave (3-30MHz) bands, and even some spectrum that’s reserved for digital terrestrial television.

    The launch of digital radio in South Africa has been slow in coming. Various trials have been run over the past decade or more, but Jones and Dreyer believe the technology is getting closer to being ready for commercial deployment here.

    A universal receiver capable of picking up digital audio and television broadcasts

    One of the big advantages of digital radio – be it DRM or DAB – is that it doesn’t pick up atmospheric interference, a major problem with medium-wave and shortwave broadcasts. It either offers crystal-clear audio or it’s simply not available.

    Though medium-wave (or AM) radio is barely used in South Africa anymore, many people will remember tuning into the AM band to listen to Radio 702 and Capital 604.

    The DRM pilot will test several technologies, including integrating DRM radio receivers with smartphones over Wi-Fi. It will also test DRM’s emergency warning functionality, designed to alert radio listeners of a disaster, like an earthquake or riot.

    Apart from Hot 102.7FM, the other two radio stations joining the DRM pilot are Radio Pulpit and WiTaxi FM

    Apart from Hot 102.7FM, the other two radio stations joining the DRM pilot are Radio Pulpit, which is aimed at the Christian community, and WiTaxi FM, for consumption in commuter taxis and part of a trial to distribute digital radio over Wi-Fi.

    The test frequency, for TechCentral readers interested in tuning in once Icasa has issued the licence (expected in the coming weeks), is 91.25MHz.

    The DRM South Africa Group is also in talks with Naamsa – the motoring industry body also known as The Automotive Business Council – about introducing DRM receivers in new vehicles manufactured and sold in South Africa.

    “Naamsa is fully aware of the developments. In India, there are already seven million cars with DRM receivers built into vehicles,” said Dreyer.

    Available online

    He said South Africa needs to get commercial digital radio broadcasts on air soon to ensure that uptake begins and the country is not left behind.

    Receivers are already available online, though availability in local stores – both physical and e-commerce outlets – remains limited for now.

    Read: What’s really at stake in the Canal+, MultiChoice merger

    Dreyer said Icasa issued regulations on digital sound broadcasting in 2021 but has yet to issue an invitation to apply to interested broadcasters. “There is no word yet on when the ITA will be issued,” he said.  – © 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Get breaking news from TechCentral on WhatsApp. Sign up here.

    Don’t miss:

    The transatlantic race to create the first television



    Aldred Dreyer BluLemon Hot FM Radio Pulpit Russel Jones WiTaxi FM
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleNvidia powers towards eye-popping $4-trillion market cap
    Next Article Why Google Workspace and Gemini are a gamechanger for small businesses

    Related Posts

    ‘Nothing is happening’: digital radio roll-out stalls

    2 February 2024

    Why operators will have to wait longer for prime spectrum

    19 October 2018

    Government to explain set-top box decision

    12 October 2018
    Company News

    Atlassian, Obsidian share 5 game-changing automation hacks in latest Jira webinar

    25 July 2025

    Samsung unveils new TV line-up: AI-powered 8K, OLED and Mini LED marvels

    24 July 2025

    Why data, people and trust are the true drivers of digital manufacturing

    24 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.