Friday fragments - comms news from around the web for 5 September 2014

A round-up of the week's critical communications and public safety radio news for Friday, 5 September 2014.

Europe's 700 MHz should go mobile by 2020. A report by Pascal Lamy, Chairman of Europe's High Level Group on the future of the UHF spectrum, has recommended that the 700 MHz band be given over to mobile broadband by around 2020 and for “regulatory stability for broadcasting to continue in the 470-694 MHz band until 2030".

DAB+ emergency info trials to continue. ACMA has extended trials of DAB+ digital radio in Canberra and Darwin until the end of June 2015. The trials are testing new features and functionality. Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said: “Both trials have provided valuable insights into coverage planning that will help ensure regional rollout of DAB+ provides cost-effective reception. In addition, CRA has been testing transmission of emergency information across DAB+, fully utilising the slideshow and scrolling text features of DAB+."

Canadians to get alert broadcast system. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commissions has regulated that, by 31 March 2015, “broadcasters in Canada will be required to alert Canadians of imminent threats to life. Campus, community and Native radio and television broadcasters, as well as radiocommunication distribution undertakings, will be required to do so by 31 March 2016. As a result of today's changes, Canadians across the country who are listening to radio or watching television will receive notification of imminent emergencies issued by public officials so that they can take appropriate action. Alert messages include messages relating to events such as tornadoes, floods, forest fires, industrial disasters and tsunamis."

Train-crash tapes released. Still in Canada, and officials have released audio and transcripts of conversations between a dispatcher and the engineer of a train that crashed at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, last year, causing a huge fire that killed 47 people. The phone calls make clear that the engineer was unaware that it was his train - filled with crude oil - that had broken free and crashed into the town.

Radio-tower attack began WWII. Did you know that one of the first acts of WWII, one day before the Nazi invasion of Poland, was a 'false flag' attack on the German radio station at Gleiwitz, carried out by Nazi forces masquerading as Poles? The station was home to the famous Gliwice Radio Tower, 118 m tall and made of wooded latticework. At the time, it was the tallest wooden structure in Europe; still standing today, it remains the second-tallest wooden structure in the world.

Pie boys beckoned with beacons. Hungry spectators at the MCG in Melbourne will soon be able to win a free pie thanks to iBeacon Bluetooth technology carried by 'pie boys' (roving pie sellers). A smartphone app will alert patrons that a pie boy is near; by presenting the notification to the pie boy, patrons will get a free pie and go in the draw for a year's worth of pies. But as someone in the Critical Comms office has pointed out, if they can do this with pies, why can't they invent a system that sees drinks delivered directly to your seat upon request? An opportunity waiting to be filled - over to you, critical communications industry.

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