Market Signals a Lost Radio Technology

Chip manufacturer losses widen amid weaker DAB sales

British tech company Frontier Smart Technologies Ltd  reported annual pre-tax losses widened as revenues fell by more than a fifth amid weaker digital radio (DAB) sales. For the year ended 31 December 2018, pre-tax losses widened to $3.3m from $2.1m a year earlier, and revenue fell 21% to $41.8m according to StockMarketWire.com.  According to our analysis the global smartphone revolution will curb future demand for stand-alone radio sets.

India has the world's cheapest mobile broadband

Handy smartphones replacing stand-alone radio and tv receivers as data prices are reaching new lows.

India's plummeting data prices have hit a new low. In fact, according to a recent BBC report, the country has the cheapest mobile broadband prices in the world. The report, citing a UK-based price comparison site, said that 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile data cost $0.26 in India (£0.20), compared with $12.37 in the US, $6.66 in the UK, and a global average of $8.53. But many Indian users said they were actually paying less than $0.10 a GB. Whatever the true cost, what is clear is that mobile data in India is many times cheaper than elsewhere. 

Mandatory DAB for Receivers in New Cars Might Kill Radio

Slanted lobby facts are confusing manufacturers and consumers

The all-electric cars are much around the corner. Volvo has presented its new all-electric car which will be produced in China next year. Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android.  -  A Connected Car will not be hit by the regulating efforts to force DAB radio into new cars as long it is not also equipped with a stand-alone in-car radio.

Sweden: No Commercial DAB Without a Government Frequency Guarantee

Private terrestrial digital radio is postponed - again. 

Listeners and public service broadcaster is turning its back on DAB.

NENT (formerly MTG), may postpone the start of national DAB+ broadcasts until July 1, when 35 percent of the population should be able to receive. One year later, 50% must be reached and on July 1, 2021 the network must be expanded to a coverage of 70% of the population. NENT has requested a postponement of the DAB start due to "technical and organizational challenges". The fact that other license holders (as Bauer) have been deferred with the first launching start to January 1, 2020, contributes to the request being admitted by the media authority.

Government Decision in Spain: No DAB Radio

Lack of consumer interest and the rise of 5G might kill DAB
Spain wants to keep the analog FM radio and will not introduce terrestrial digital radio DAB+. The government decision to postpone discussions on the introduction of DAB in Spain has led to frustration among DAB advocates incl. the opposition party Coalició Compromís, which accuses the government to rather be 5G oriented in the national digitalization process. 

While 5G Launches Globally Interest for DAB Radio Fades.

(Pic: EBU)

Demands in Austria for radio and TV to be received via 5G without a SIM card.
At the mobile telecom conference in Barcelona 5G was the focus. It is now announced that the radio industry in Austria wants 5G to replace terrestrial digital TV broadcasts (DVB-T2 HD). The public service company ORF and its subsidiary broadcast provider ORS as well as private broadcasters now require space for a 5G broadcasting network on the UHF band 470-700 megahertz, which should continue to be reserved for radio and television, according to the "Standard" newspaper. Meanwhile, terrestrial DAB radio will be abandoned by ORF.

While Digital Radio Online Grow Rampant DAB Lobby Deceives Politicians

Analysis: DAB will not survive FM and Internet Radio. Norway loser.
Despite 24 unsuccessful years since its launching and the Internet's increasing dominance, lobby interests continue efforts to replace FM with the European system DAB. It has mainly been public broadcasters active since the beginning of the 1990s. With the exception of the Norwegian NRK, however, these companies are realizing that DAB no longer belongs to the future radio landscape. Nowadays, the "digital radio" listening platform today and for the future means online - in Sweden, France, the United States and most other countries. Meanwhile FM, the world broadcast standard, remains strong in 219 countries.

Continued Radio Setback After FM Closure in Norway

Pic: Opplands Arbeiderblad

Only 6 out of 10 Norwegians now listening to the radio. 
Public radio not a longer with the majority population.
The latest CATI survey from Kantar confirms previous information that radio listening in Norway remains at a very low level since 2017 in comparison with other Nordic countries. The reason for the decline is primarily the world-unique decision to force listeners of national radio to switch to DAB. - Listening in the fourth quarter of 2018 totalled 59.1%. NRK dominates with one third of the population; 37.4%. NRK's strongest card is P1; 23.1% and regional broadcasts; 19.8% The two foreign owned commercial national networks have only 16 per cent. Local radio has 13.6 and foreign radio (mainly SR) 1.6%

Security Policy Proposal in Sweden: DAB Might Lose Its Frequency Space

A green light for continued FM at least until 2047.
2019 might be the last year for the residual DAB in Sweden.
An inquiry into how the radio frequencies are to be used during the period 2027-2047 proposes that the Armed Forces will get space in the band 174-240 MHz, which is currently used by DAB radio and digital TV. At the international level, the inquiry suggests that Sweden should push for the bands 470-694 MHz and 174-240 MHz (VHF band III) are allocated that the frequencies can be utilized for two different types of radio platforms. - It is thus possible that Sweden now will follow Finland's example and clear DAB out of band III.

Starting 700 MHz Mobile Broadband in Sweden

Better coverage across the country for 4G and 5G.
An effective online broadcast platform. The ultimate DAB killer.
The telecom authority PTS auction of licenses to use radio transmitters in the 700 MHz band has been terminated after a bidding round that determined the location in the band. Three of four mobile operators with a total biddig sum of SEK 2.8 billion (271,5 million euro) won 30 MHz of the band. This is a major step forward in preparing for the upcoming 5G market introduction 2020. - For broadcasters this will also be a boost for radio and television online distribution coverage to reach smartphones and connected cars via 4G and 5G. The 700 MHz band will also be optimal for LTE Broadcast applications.

Half of Norway Turns Its Back on DAB. Now Politicians Are Reconsidering

Unique project closing of national radio on FM has failed.
Listening figures clearly show less interest for national channels (now exclusively on DAB) than when broadcasting on FM. Local radio continues on FM and many stations now have larger audiences than before the national radio left FM 2017. In the third quarter, many stations increased a lot. Nea Radio is still the country's most popular station with a total of 53% daily coverage in its own area. There are a total of 15 local radio stations that have a daily attendance of at least 16%. - Will still more Norwegians stay on FM and go online rather than turn to DAB? This might be quite a problem of survival for the national broadcasters.

No More Investments in Nationwide DAB Radio in Norway

Broadcast provider gives up frequency packet. Will DAB kill radio?
In May 2019 Norkring AS will return the license for Riksblokk 2 (National Block 2), which is a commercial frequency packets consisting of channels 11A and 12A. Norkring won an auction of Riksblokk II in 2012 with a bid of NOK 4.004.000 kr. Building permit and frequency license was issued until 31 December 2031. But now it seems that Norkring has given up what the politicians once imagined would be widespread diversity with more actors than the duopoly of two nationwide commercial radio companies.