DAB receiver sales pass 166 million as digital radio expands globally
French commercial radio station Sud Radio is finding multiple uses for a piece of equipment originally designed with sportscasters in mind. The predominately talk radio station focuses on news, social, political, economics and sports coverage and uses AETA’s ScoopTeam, Scoopy +S and Scoop 5S codecs to cover various remote events.
For example, during the gilets jaunes (“yellow vest”) protests, which began in 2018, the station turned to AETA ScoopTeam when it needed a multipurpose device able to operate as a portable studio. Because the demonstrations were moving and the situation continually changing, the unit’s embedded mobile 4G capability was critical in their decision — they didn’t have to worry about managing IP or ISDN lines. Despite initially being slightly skeptical about the dependability of mobile IP connections, the success of the coverage encouraged the rest of the station’s team to broaden their use of AETA’s mobile IP links.
Since then, Sud Radio has multiplied its remote programs and now features regular live broadcasts from across the nation. During the lockdown, Sud radio technicians distributed Scoopy and ScoopTeam units to all station contributors so they could broadcast from home. According to Misha Agard, system administrator for Sud Radio, for these WFH broadcasts, the use of SIP service significantly eased the migration. “We use AETA products every day, and they continue to demonstrate their reliability in any situation,” said Agard. “We’ve also been creative in making the most of the units to maximize their benefits. What’s more, thanks to their stability and quality connections, we no longer have to rent ISDN or IP lines and save a lot in time and money using wireless connections through SIM cards housed in ScoopTeam devices.”
For Yann Vonarburg, general manager of AETA Audio Systems, Sud Radio’s creativity with ScoopTeam and all AETA’s units illustrate the vast potential the products offer to the broadcast market. “Ease of use and dependable connections under any circumstances are key and ensure station staff can successfully do their job and deliver important information to their audience. This is exactly what AETA wants to offer to its valued customers.”
