(20 January 2007 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The second wave of FM privatization will see Sun TV and four other private broadcasters launching their FM channels. In preparation for this Sun and the other private broadcasters planning to launch 57 frequencies ordered new transmitters from Broadcast Electronics (BE) in the past month.

These orders are in addition to the BE FM transmitters previously ordered as a result of privatization, which will eventually bring new FM licenses to 90 markets in India.

A total of 70 BE transmission systems have been ordered by private FM broadcasters so far, putting BE in the lead according to Technomedia Solutions managing director P.S. Sundaram which represents Broadcast Electronics in India. BE is a turnkey provider of RF and studio systems and provides local, ongoing service for complete transmitter sites.

Of the 57 BE transmitter systems ordered in the past month Sun TV ordered 38 BE FM systems for its Kal Radio Ltd and South Asia Ltd operations. Sri Puran Ltd ordered eight BE transmitter systems, Malar Publications Ltd ordered six, Malayala Manorama ordered four and Purvy Ltd ordered one BE transmitter system.

These recent orders are in addition to the nine BE FM systems ordered by Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) for its Radio Mirchi brand, which broadcast the first private FM signals in April 2006 using BE transmitters. Kal Radio Ltd and South Asia Ltd, part of Sun TV, also set up BE transmitters in three centers and went on-air in Nov 2006. Malar Publications Ltd launched an FM service at Chennai, Hello FM, with a BE transmitter.

'Privatization of the FM band is going to have a wide-reaching impact on the people of India, and we're obviously very honored that so many of these private broadcasters are putting their trust in BE products, said Broadcast Electronics Asia Pacific sales manager Frank Massa.

Transmitter models vary from BE's ultra-efficient solid state C series to its reliable, cost-effective single-tube T series, with output powers ranging from 3 kW to 10 kW.

Every BE transmitter system has an FXi digital FM exciter which is the only exciter with direct-to-channel RF generator for superior RF and audio performance.