A worldwide radio broadcasting phenomenon - which integrates GSM services, mobile broadcast software and FM receivers - could soon be a reality in SA.
This is according to the SABC's GM of radio broadcast facilities, Gelfand Kausiyo, speaking on the sidelines of The Digital Zone's digital broadcasting conference yesterday.
Visual radio involves radio stations broadcasting visuals to a cellphone, while at the same time transmitting an ordinary FM signal.
"The technology is ready, it just needs to be kick-started," he said, adding he expects it to be commercially available in SA before 2010, and possibly much sooner.
During a presentation at the conference, he demonstrated the advantages of visual radio, showing how information about the songs playing and their chart positions can be displayed.
Users can also choose from a variety of SMS alert services options, and be shown advertising visuals that complement the audio advert.
"Watch on-air personalities live on your cellphone, vote for and influence the next song that is played, buy a CD based on a song you've just heard via GSM billing - there is a host of things you will be able to do," he said.
These levels of interactivity can be obtained through the GSM feedback path combined into one device with an FM receiver, Kausiyo said.
Internationally
In the US, UK, Finland, Spain and India, visual radio has proven popular, he said.
"Visual Radio", a trademark Nokia owns for back-end systems, is deployed in tandem with HP hardware, he added.
The service requires a visual radio-enabled handset, noted Kausiyo.
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