Digital audio broadcasting-the future of radio

September 1995 is a month of considerable significance in the history of radio. It is the month in which DAB enters its operational phase as the BBC starts its Network Radio services, and as substantial pilot schemes get under way in Germany and other European countries. The Eureka 147 technology, on which so much development work has been done, has demonstrated its capabilities; it is now up to the broadcasters and other service providers to realise the potential and to use it for the benefit of the consumer. The BBC has made a major and early commitment because it believes that DAB is the right technology and that DAB will help to ensure that radio remains a vital means of human communication in the next century. And not only for terrestrial services. As one of the largest international broadcasters, the BBC sees satellite-delivered digital audio broadcasting as the long-term replacement for short-wave. The present paper sets out: 1. Why the BBC sees the future of radio in DAB. 2. What the main issues and problem areas are. 3. How the BBC intends to turn its aspirations for DAB into reality