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Brazil Digital Radio Decision Likely Moved Back
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We recently reported that Brazil was leaning towards choosing a digital radio technology either late this year or early in 2011 and is now looking at Digital Radio Mondiale in addition to HD Radio.
However, the presidential election is set for Oct. 3. Brazilian citizens eligible to vote will choose the successor of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Lula is not eligible to run again, since he was elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. Brazil's constitution bars him from seeking a third term, according to Reuters.
The upshot is that digital radio timetable is almost certain to be pushed back, according to experts. I hear from Brazil that now no decision is likely to be made on digital radio before 2011. At least, that was the consensus among many folks attending the recent SET, Brazil's version of the NAB convention.
Elections for a new government will be held in October and the current administration will leave office in January.
It will be up to the next administration to decide what they want to do about choosing a digital radio standard. Brazil has the fifth-largest population among world countries, according to several rankings.
Related:
"Brazil Could Pick Digital Standard in 2010" (May 2010)
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