Mobile Digital Radio: Eine Chance für den digitalen Hörfunk durch bestehende Mobilfunktechnologien?

摘要

The digitasation of radio is at a stage of underdevelopment in most European states. Standards like Digital Audio Broadcasting are commercially available since 1995, but penetration rates are still insignificant. This thesis aims to define a certain form of digital radio named Mobile Digital Radio – also referred to as Mobile Streaming Radio – and to evaluate it in relation to technical and economical criteria. Technical issues, like GPRS, UMTS and Streaming, which are prerequisites for Mobile Digital Radio serve as a starting point. In addition, information on other digital radio standards and judicial conditions for the operation of a Mobile Digital Radio service is given. Furthermore, existing business models, illustrated by Best Practice concepts and interviews with experts, are investigated in order to prove the hypothesis: Mobile Digital Radio offers added value to endusers in comparison to other forms of radio distribution. Following this concept, the thesis addresses mobile operators, which aim to strategically position themselves in the field of Mobile Music, as well as radio stations in search of new channels of distribution. The main findings suggest, that Mobile Digital Radio offers way more possibilities to enable value added radio services than other digital radio platforms. The use of existing network infrastructure keeps costs to a minimum and the adoption of streaming technology allows provision of nearly countless programs. Moreover radio stations are not restricted to geographical boarders. Besides the availibilty of a feedback channel makes promising applications possible, ranging from interactivity and personalisation to m-Commerce transactions.