The WorldDAB Forum has voted to change its name to WorldDMB. The decision was announced at the General Assembly of the organisation, which has over 120 member organisations around the world. WorldDMBs President, Quentin Howard, commented, Were recognising that while radio will always be the main focus for many of our members, we also need properly to represent countries and companies who see mobile TV and multimedia as the core proposition. Howard says the organisation had outgrown its old
name, The Steering Board unanimously supported changing the name to
WorldDMB because digital multimedia broadcasting is an inclusive category
which covers radio, television and new media content. The vote of the
membership gives us a powerful mandate to continue to highlight the flexibility, strength and success of the Eureka 147 family of standards.
The initial success of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) was based on the Eureka 147 project and the digitisation of traditional radio broadcasting. Over the years, the technology has been enhanced with complementary standards developed to facilitate the commercial launch of multimedia and video services. In this way, the standard has rema ined at the forefront of the digital broadcasting arena by incorporating not only radio, but also data (including traffic and safety information), mobile TV (with a choice of DMB and IP based solutions), EPGs (electronic programme guides), music downloads and many other applications. At the General Assembly Quentin Howard noted, In the context of this evolution and diversification, continuing to use the name the WorldDAB Forum risked confusion. Some audiences have sometimes assumed that we only represented digital audio. In addition, it allowed some commentators wrongly to suggest that DAB and DMB are competing
technologies, instead of the truth that they are different layers of the Eureka 147 family of standards. In order to reflect the diversity of its members interests and create a clearer understanding of the flexibility of standards the Forum promotes, a consultation was held on the issue of the name change followed by a vote of the full membership. The result was an overwhelming YES vote in favour of the new name, WorldDMB. The result takes immediate effect.
However, the organisations new name does not affect any of the various acronyms or technology labels already used for the Eureka 147 standards. DAB, for example will still be called DAB and all DAB digital radio receivers will continue to carry the traditional DAB or digital radio logos which are recognised by consumers in different markets across the world. At the General Assembly, members were reminded that this is not the first name change in the history of the organisation. It was launched in 1995 as EuroDAB and changed its name to WorldDAB in 1997 to reflect growing international interest, rollout and membership. This change contributed to the success of the organisation which now has over 120 members from 40 different countries. The name change from WorldDAB to WorldDMB will help promote and advocate the vast array of services available using its Eureka 147 family of standards including the original DAB digital radio which is still the most widespread application of the standard.
WorldDMB President, Quentin Howard, believes the change of name will help the organisation to grow further and to be even more effective. Some of our members are Mobile TV operators and new media companies in Europe and Asia who dont see themselves as audio businesses and in some parts of the world our old name was a barrier to success. But a change of name is a big decision, and Id like to pay special tribute to the many members who have a sole focus on the radio business for backing the change to a more inclusive name. Were united in the task of vigorously promoting the Eureka 147 family standards and thats the challenge for the coming year.