The National Communications Authority (NCA) is preparing to roll out commercial Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) across Ghana after a successful pilot programme in Accra and Kumasi, Bernard Amissah-Ocran, Acting Director of Engineering at the NCA, has said.
DAB is an innovative broadcasting technology that enables multiple FM radio stations to operate on a single frequency network, offering improved sound quality and interactive features for listeners.
The pilot, conducted in July 2023, involved 18 radio stations—11 in Accra and seven in Kumasi—broadcasting on this new platform.
“Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) allows multiple FM stations to operate on a single frequency network,” Amissah-Ocran explained.
“It also operates on a different frequency band and comes with numerous benefits, including better sound quality and interactive features. We piloted DAB with 18 stations in Accra and Kumasi.”
The pilot project has paved the way for the NCA to transition DAB into commercial use. The Authority is currently in the process of selecting an infrastructure operator to manage and expand the DAB network nationwide.
“We are now in the process of getting an infrastructure operator to take over the pilot, which in due course will be done. So we say watch this space for DAB—very soon, the NCA will launch commercial DAB,” Amissah-Ocran stated.
This move is expected to revolutionise the broadcasting landscape in Ghana by increasing the efficiency of frequency use, enhancing audio quality, and introducing interactive capabilities that could redefine listener engagement.
“With the commercial rollout imminent, the NCA is poised to usher in a new era of radio broadcasting in the country.
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