India’s digital radio transition is gaining momentum, with leading industry bodies urging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to establish a single, unified technology standard for digital radio, suggesting Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) and HD Radio as potential options.

In submissions to TRAI, the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) proposed standardizing digital technology, especially for FM broadcasting, highlighting the cost savings a single technology could bring. The AROI also recommended that All India Radio evaluate DRM and HD Radio specifically for medium wave (MW) and short wave (SW) bands, which remain within its exclusive purview, The Economic Times reported.

To ensure accessibility, AROI emphasized that analogue transmission should continue until over 80 percent of the population has access to digital receivers. Meanwhile, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) advocated a gradual rollout of HD Radio, citing its compatibility with widely used devices like cars, Bluetooth speakers, and mobile phones.

Similarly, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) highlighted HD Radio’s success in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, suggesting that a unified standard could reduce receiver costs by enabling economies of scale.