The digitization of society does not bypass a traditional area such as audio– and radio in particular. The development of DAB+ digital radio is the key focus of the WorldDAB Forum, which supports all related areas - technical, standardization, information and marketing, as well as helping initiate amendments to European legislation on radio receivers. The Slovakian Research Institute of Posts and Telecommunications in Banská Bystrica (VÚS), as an organization also engaged in research in the field of terrestrial digital audio and video broadcasting, cooperates with this Forum, particularly regarding updates related to the development of digital radio in Slovakia.

The current state of T-DAB in Europe and other countries around the world was at the heart of the WorldDAB Forum’s annual General Assembly, held virtually at the start of November. Topics included the future of DAB+ broadcasting in Europe and beyond, market initiatives related to DAB and the future of digital radio in the car. This event took place on November 3 2020 and was also attended by a representative of the VÚS. All presentations are available on the WorldDAB YouTube channel. From our perspective, the presentation of the Director General of Czech Radio regarding the current state and future plans for the digitization of radio in the Czech Republic was particularly stimulating. In the Czech Republic, 95 % of the population is currently covered by DAB+ services. Czech Radio broadcasts all 23 of its programmes digitally and is preparing others.

With regard to the projects addressed at VÚS, the contribution of the EBU representative on the future role of 5G for audio broadcasters was also interesting, taking into account business models and existing technologies.

On 10th March 2016 the 12th Annual Conference CERD took place in Hotel Devín in Bratislava, Slovakia, with the participation of about 80 listeners. The organizer was the company INTENZÍVA, s.r.o., and VÚS, n. o. Banská Bystrica (Research Institute of Posts and Telecommunications) was one of the media partners. The conference program was focused on: f the media partners. The conference program focuses on:
- Conclusions of the World Radiocommunication Conference WRC-15 and its implications for the further development of TV broadcasting,
- Distribution of TV signals via satellite,
- Satellite navigation (GNSS).

The Conference was chaired by Mr. Juraj Oravec, Deputy DG for Radiocommunications from the Research Institute of Posts and Telecommunications. A very interesting presentation “Risk of GNSS Interference”, with a very positive response from among the participants, was given by another colleague of ours – Mr. Norbert Majer, Ph.D.

In 2014 VÚS, in cooperation with several significant manufacturers of TV receivers and other relevant organisations (broadcasters, network operators, etc.), drafted a new version of Technical Normalisation Information TNI 36 7554 “Technical Specification of DVB-T/-T2 Receivers Intended for the Slovak Market“. This specification already respects the movement of terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, which mainly due to the reallocation of TV spectrum for mobile services is pushing to develop more effective systems of source coding (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, but especially MPEG-H/H.265 known as HEVC) and new broadcast system DVB-T2. The new TNI 36 7554 is valid from 1st July 2015 and can be bought in ÚNMS. VÚS in response to requests by manufacturers of digital receivers carries out an assessment of digital receivers and publishes a list of models that meet the requirements of the Slovak market. More information is available tu. Receivers that pass tests have the right to be marked with logo "Suitable for Slovak DVB-T/-T2". Those interested in buying a new TV set are recommended to claim receivers bearing that logo, or to focus on receivers containing DVB-T2 tuner with MPEG-H/H.265 (HEVC) decoder.