New DAB playout system for Romandie Médias SA
Romandie Médias SA transports and broadcasts DAB+ signals throughout French-speaking Switzerland. It owns more than 60 transmitters and broadcasts all the Radios Régionales Romandes (RRR) with his own microwave and line network. This infrastructure holds significant importance for French-language radio media in Switzerland, especially considering the planned shutdown of FM transmitters by the end of 2026.
Die Romandie Médias SA verbreitet und sendet DAB+-Signale in der gesamten Westschweiz. Sie besitzt mehr als 60 Sender und überträgt alle Privatradios der Radios Régionales Romandes (RRR) über ihr eigenes Richtstrahl- und Leitungsnetz.
Diese Infrastruktur ist für die französischsprachigen Radiomedien in der Schweiz von grosser Bedeutung, insbesondere im Hinblick auf die geplante Abschaltung der UKW-Sender bis Ende 2026.
In spring 2021, RMSA sought Sumatronic’s expertise to explore alternatives for upgrading their aging DAB playout system. Over the course of 2022, they meticulously assessed, planned, and tested various options. Subsequently, in 2023, RMSA finalized the procurement of the new AVT DABMUXplus, along with all AVT AE4 or AE1 audio encoders, through Sumatronic AG. We now have a geo-redundant 1+1 multiplexer system, with one mux in Rossemaison (JU) and one in Marin (NE) with seamless switching. The contribution system is redundantly designed, utilizing both optic fiber and microwave links from the multiplexers to the transmitter-sites. Additionally, we’ve implemented another layer of redundancy by employing an additional encoder to receive the webstream of each station, ensuring seamless switching in the event of any issues. The very important and critical migration process went very successfully and without any relevant interruption of our services. The planning and preparations were carried out jointly by Sumatronic and the training and migration process by AVT. Our technical team received thorough briefings and training, resulting in their adept handling of the new system, which now operates reliably and seamlessly. The responsible AVT engineer was extremely meticulous and even incorporated some additional features tailored to our specific use case.
After several months of full operational use, we can confidently affirm that the AVT DAB playout system has exceeded our expectations and perfectly fulfills our requirements. It has proven to be exceptionally reliable, stable, and user-friendly, providing a seamless and secure experience. Based on our positive experience, we wholeheartedly recommend this system and the associated services to any professional operator in need of a dependable solution.
Gilles Clerc, Head of Technology at Romandie Médias SA
