Development and Rollout of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) in Europe (1981–2005)

1. IRT begins early DAB research

   Jan 1, 1981Labels: Institut f, Germany

   • FR Wikipedia
   • LiquiSearch

2. First DAB demonstrations at WARC in Geneva

   Jan 1, 1985Labels: WARC, Geneva

   • FR Wikipedia
   • LiquiSearch

3. Eureka-147 project is launched

   Jan 1, 1987Labels: Eureka-147, European consortium

   • DAB Wikipedia
   • Scribd paper

4. International demonstrations expand visibility

   Jan 1, 1988Labels: Geneva demonstrations, international trials

   • DAB Wikipedia

5. Key technical choices and trial broadcasts begin

   Jan 1, 1990Labels: trial broadcasts, technical choices

   • DAB Wikipedia
   • LiquiSearch

6. DAB specification is finalized

   Jan 1, 1993Labels: DAB specification, standardization

   • FR Wikipedia
   • LiquiSearch

7. ITU-R adopts DAB as a standard

   Jan 1, 1994Labels: ITU-R, United Nations

   • FR Wikipedia
   • LiquiSearch

8. ETSI publishes ETS 300 401 DAB standard

   Feb 1, 1995Labels: ETSI, ETS 300

   • ETSI ETS 300

9. EuroDAB Forum holds first meeting

   Mar 1, 1995Labels: EuroDAB Forum, industry stakeholders

   • Scribd paper

10. CEPT Wiesbaden meeting creates DAB frequency plan

    Jul 1, 1995Labels: CEPT Wiesbaden, frequency plan

    • EBU TechRev
    • Doczz slides

11. BBC begins regular UK DAB service

    Sep 27, 1995Labels: BBC, United Kingdom

    • Independent
    • BBC National DAB

12. Swedish Radio starts DAB transmissions in Stockholm

    Sep 27, 1995Labels: Swedish Radio, Stockholm

    • Countries DAB
    • UK timeline

13. Bavaria starts DAB pilot network

    Oct 17, 1995Labels: Bavaria pilot, regional network

    • DAB Germany

14. UK Broadcasting Act enables commercial DAB licensing

    Jan 1, 1996Labels: UK Broadcasting, legislation

    • Hansard
    • UK timeline

15. Eureka-147 merges into WorldDAB

    Jan 1, 1999Labels: Eureka-147, WorldDAB

    • DAB Wikipedia
    • WorldDAB

16. Bavaria begins regular DAB operation

    Apr 1, 1999Labels: Bavaria, regular operation

    • DAB Germany

17. Maastricht conference extends L-band DAB planning

    Jan 1, 2002Labels: Maastricht conference, CEPT

    • Doczz slides

18. EU sets 2005 target for digital TV switchover

    May 24, 2005Labels: European Commission, EU policy

    • EC i2010