Objectives of RAS for the period 2023 - 2026:
- The television networks of RAS must be converted to the new broadcasting standard DVB-T2 and television encoding HEVC in accordance with national regulations. The transmission of additional television programs is desirable.
- New television standards will be tested, including mobile telephony standards such as 5G Broadcast and ultra-high definition UHD image transmission.
- The expansion of the digital radio network with DAB+ standard continues, and additional FM installations should be shut down.
- To enhance program distribution, video surveillance, and transnational program exchange, the digital radio bridge network and fiber optic network need to be expanded.
- The linear and non-linear dissemination of radio and television programs via IP fiber optic network and mobile network within the provincial territory is desirable.
- Underserved areas and tunnels should be reached by broadband and mobile telephony coverage. New technologies such as DAS will be employed.
- Upon the provincial government's request, additional common broadcasting stations must be built for public radio and television services, provincial services, as well as private broadcasters and mobile network operators. The utilization of these stations by third parties will be further incentivized.
- New transmission standards for fixed, portable, and mobile reception must be tested.
- Services provided to third parties, such as network operator services, design, consultancy, and carrier activities, need to be expanded.
- The collaboration with public broadcasters ORF, ZDF, SRG, ARD, RAI, network operators, authorities, relevant ministries, and private broadcasters continues and is strengthened.
- Participation in various commissions, such as the Provincial Commission for Communication Infrastructure, the Joint Committee of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - RAI, and the RAS-RAI Working Group, continues, as well as the intensification of synergies with provincial structures and other broadcasting organizations.
- The dissemination of information services of provincial interest (Civil Protection communications, data transmission, webcams, etc.) continues.
- To ensure operational safety, the current transmitter network and RAS infrastructure must be continuously maintained and adapted to the latest technical standards.
- Ongoing technological changes and evolving legal frameworks require ongoing training for all RAS staff. Therefore, the personnel structure must be continually adjusted to meet new requirements.
Television and radio have undergone radical changes due to technological advancements. In recent years, there has been a multiplication of transmission methods and technologies, such as digital broadcasting, streaming, on-demand and mobile TV. Receivers have also undergone significant changes to meet the new needs of users.
Despite the rapid development of new communication technologies, television and radio continue to be the main mass media, capable of reaching and informing large segments of the population.
RAS has the cultural task of disseminating German and Ladin language radio and television programs of public broadcasting organizations in South Tyrol. RAS fulfils this primary task through widespread terrestrial coverage with programs from the German and Ladin cultural area. The current coverage stands at 99.6%.
The transmitting network of RAS currently consists of over 1,000 transmission devices operating at approximately 120 broadcasting stations. This valuable infrastructure requires constant care and maintenance.
To achieve its institutional purposes, RAS requires an annual allocation from the Provincial Administration, which allows for medium- to long-term technical planning.
Within the context of digital television program dissemination, there is a growing need for better video quality, driven by the increasing size and technical advancements of televisions. Therefore, RAS will strive to broadcast additional programs in high-definition HD format, adopting the
new DVB-T2 transmission standard.
According to current national regulations, the new television standard DVB-T2 with HEVC encoding must be introduced extensively. New television standards, high-definition content, and transmission via mobile networks will be tested.
As user behaviour is changing, RAS aims to implement linear and non-linear program dissemination via IP fiber optic networks and mobile telephony networks.
Similarly, the dissemination of digital radio DAB+ must also be increased. By acquiring additional transmission devices, current radio programs can be disseminated more extensively. With the goal of reducing costs, the transmission of analogue FM signals will gradually cease.
In recent years, RAS has established a digital radio bridge network for program transmission to main broadcasting stations and program exchange between North and South Tyrol. In the coming years, additional RAS stations will need to be connected via radio bridges and fiber optic cables.
RAS provides its broadcasting stations to RAI, private broadcasters, various mobile network operators, as well as important state and provincial radio communication services (such as Carabinieri, Police, Civil Protection, Provincial Operations Center, STA, Croce Bianca, Firefighters, and Mountain Rescue). These shared-use stations are primarily located outside populated areas and have the advantage of limited impact on the environment and landscape.
Considering these advantages, RAS will also construct common broadcasting stations upon the provincial government's request in the coming years.
In the field of telecommunications, RAS will continue to promote, at the request of the provincial government, the expansion of mobile telephony and broadband infrastructures in the peripheral areas of South Tyrol. New technologies will be employed.
Services provided to third parties and economic activities need to be further expanded. As a network operator, RAS provides radio and television networks to third parties.
All these activities require intensive collaboration with various provincial departments, as well as relevant authorities, municipalities, ministries, and local and foreign broadcasting organizations. As these innovations target a broad population, constant communication and information efforts are essential.
RAS employs highly qualified personnel who need to constantly update and enhance their skills. They collaborate and provide consultancy services to various institutions, including provincial offices, ministries, authorities, public interest services, mobile network operators, and private broadcasters. RAS is also a member of various expert committees (such as the Provincial Commission for Communication Infrastructure) and participates in advisory roles in working groups of relevant ministries and supervisory authorities.
The completion of all these institutional and complementary tasks requires a constant adjustment of RAS's organizational structure.