Lobby Group Struggles to Retain Frequencies for DAB Radio

DAB frequency allocations is a spectrum wasteland in Norway

There is an increased global pressure from telecom operators to expand mobile broadband allocations in the UHF band (470-862 MHz) which is already underway in the 700 and 800 MHz band with next step the 600 band (Canada and the US). Thus terrestrial television broadcasters are being pressured to regain spectrum for DVB-T2 in the VHF band III (174-240 MHz). This might be a mortal problem for DAB broadcasting as there are no other spectrum allocated for DAB/DAB+ on lower frequencies.

Much Increased FM Radio Data Capacity 2016

RDS2 on FM will challenge DAB for text and picture display

The new RDS2 system was presented in Berlin on Nov. 3. An enhanced version of the radio data system used by FM radio, RDS2 is backward compatible with RDS receivers. With this new technology, broadcasters will be able to continue using the existing RDS system, which is now 30 years old, and opt for RDS2, to be available in 2016, as an option. FM radio will now have a capacity for enhanced text and picture performance also much touted by DAB promoters.

Transition to DAB Radio Collides With Reality in Norway

Irritation among public service listeners losing FM.

Criticism of safety deficiencies countryside and on roads. Smartphones will kill DAB+

The government prescribed  transition to digital DAB radio and the closure of FM 2017 meets the population's continued complaints and protests. The car business is reporting customer dissatisfaction. Most of the vehicle fleet, especially buses and trucks, have not installed DAB radio. In addition, motorists from abroad, including neighboring Sweden will not be able to listen to Norwegian radio. Now the irritation of public service radio listeners (and license payers) is mounting. A 2017 chaos might hit Norwegian households and motorists. Moreover, the assessment is that with online radio in smartphones the future of the Norwegian DAB+ network seems to be doomed.

Last Hope Gone for DAB Radio in Sweden

Government informs the Parliament that the case is closed

The Swedish Government now has delivered to Riksdagen - the Parliament - its formal response to the National Audit Report on the issue of digital radio DAB introduction in Sweden presented in March 2015. According to the government looking into the whole picture of the consultation on an inquiry of 2014 a broad and clear support is lacking for a digital transition. The proposal for a transition from FM to DAB+ 2017-2022 is rejected and there are no plans for another inquiry into this issue.

Everybody Will Be Smartphone Connected

Broadband developments strongly indicate that the future major media platform will be Internet

In 2025 it is predicted that all young people and adults in the world will own a smartphone, which will replace other devices as stand-alone radio- and tv-receivers. This will have a heavy impact on the media industry.

According to the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development ‘State of Broadband’ report that although strong growth rates continue for mobile broadband and Facebook usage, and mobile cellular subscriptions now exceeded 7 billion.

BBC Not to Fund Digital Radio Switchover

Timetable must be set by listeners. Still only 14% of radio listeners listen exclusively to digital radio.

In its response to the government’s green paper on the future of the corporation, the BBC says it cannot fund the costs of such a switchover without significantly impacting services. Further build out of the DAB networks to reach the same coverage as FM would be a major undertaking, likely to increase radio distribution costs by between £40m to £45m a year exclusive of any work to maintain the existing networks.