Digital Radio Mondiale created the first DRM Automotive Workgroup for India on Nov. 25 during the second annual NXP India Cockpit and Infotainment Forum.
NXP Semiconductors, provider of automotive infotainment systems and digital car radio solutions and DRM member, organized the event. During the virtual meeting, All India Radio presented recent optimizations of the national DRM coverage as well as upcoming, exclusive service offerings for their listeners on DRM.
These include non-stop pure DRM transmissions with three services or programs on one frequency in four key metros; more DRM transmitters for increased coverage; and further varied and exclusive audio programs with Journaline content.
Essential Information
In addition, the public broadcaster All India Radio outlined progress on the national rollout of DRM’s emergency warning functionality (EWF), as well as the program information guide enabled by Journaline.
The Forum also featured comprehensive presentations on recent NXP milestones and the firm’s future plans
Today, according to DRM, there are more than 2.5 million cars on Indian roads fitted with DRM receivers at no extra cost to consumers. DRM explains that the entire consortium is asking the Indian government for support to mandate DRM reception including EWF in cars, similar to the EECC code the European Union passed to ensure cars for rent or sale in the EU have digital-capable receivers from 2021 onward.
The new group, which aims to facilitate the communications channel between AIR and India’s government to safeguard success in the country’s DRM rollout, is accessible to all interested parties. Those interested or requesting more details should contact the DRM Project Office at projectoffice@drm.org.
“The support of big companies involved in the full DRM rollout in India is essential in persuading the government that digital radio in all Indian cars is a way of delivering essential services like information, emergency warning, local content in the right language for the benefit of listeners and digital progress of India,” said Ruxandra Obreja, DRM chairman.