Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Digital radio service roll-out in Italy from October

Solaris Mobile Ltd, a joint venture company formed by SES Astra and Eutelsat Communications, and Class Editori, a leading Italian media publishing group, have reached an agreement to launch an initial phase package of digital radio services to listeners across Italy.

The initial phase of the roll-out will commence in October 2011 with the deployment of a hybrid satellite and terrestrial network in Milan. Solaris Mobile is partnering with major Italian network operators for the provision of the terrestrial transmission network. Following the successful implementation of the initial phase, it is envisaged that a full commercial launch may take place in 2012 where Solaris Mobile plans to extend the hybrid network across the whole of Italy.

Italy enjoys the largest number of radio channels within the EU and through this agreement, Italians will be able to access dozens of new digital radio channels broadcasting music, news, entertainment and sports, in their original format with continuity of reception across the entire country. The high quality digital audio signal will also be complemented with new visual elements, delivering sophisticated media services such as programme information and traffic related data. Class Editori will provide high quality content to radio listeners through the Solaris Mobile radio network.

Solaris Mobile was recently granted an 18 year licence to operate Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in Italy enabling it to deploy its hybrid satellite and terrestrial transmission network for the delivery of entertainment and information services to people on the move, in cars and to personal handsets. This licence brings to eleven the total number of national licenses awarded to Solaris Mobile across Europe, which also include France, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Denmark, The Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom.

(Source: Solaris Mobile via Media Network Weblog)

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