FM Switch-off for National Channels in Norway On Schedule

Dramatic stand-off in parliament. Labor saved Conservative government from a DAB defeat. But the transition plan is rejected by most Norwegians.

Amidst reports coming in from all parts of the country regarding insufficient DAB coverage and other technical problems Stortinget had to decide on two proposals for a postponement of the FM switch-off 2017 or a complete abandonment of the switch-off pan.   
It has been questioned if the DAB network can meet the the emergency alert requirements. DAB is not reaching out on all roads to the motorists and the coverage at sea will be halved when switching off FM. Today, only 23 % of the cars in Norway (not counting foreign vehicles) are equipped with DAB+

Emergency Authority: Easy to Hack Norwegian DAB Radio.

Picture: Oppland Arbeiderblad 

Connected to the car network via in-car radio hackers are able to manipulate crucial vehicle functions

The Norwegian Civil Contingencies Agency (DSB) are sounding the alarm about units in DAB networks can be vulnerable to hacker attacks. Information indicates that it will be relatively easy to produce your own DAB transmitter that can be used to send malicious code to car radios. As DAB radio often is connected to the rest of the vehicle internal network, a hacker can to put key features out of order, said in the report now submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

FM Radio Switch-Off Problems for Swiss Emergency Information

DAB transition forces the government to find new solutions

Without emergency alerts via FM, the whole population will not be reached by radio. Now the federal government is looking for new ways to inform in an emergency, such as earthquakes, landslides and floods. According to public radio SRG, digital radio DAB+ is expected to gradually replace FM from 2020. This threatens to become a catastrophic gap for information authorities. Today’s alarm system cannot be used any longer. It is clearly defined in the event of a disaster: When the sirens are heard radio should be turned on. This usually via the major radio channel. If this should fail, there is emergency transmitters.

Increased Internet Share of Broadcast Distribution in Sweden

Television online increasing while the terrestrial and satellite on steady decrease

Traditional television is distributed to consumers through various distribution platforms such as cable, satellite and terrestrial networks, and broadband via fiber, fiber LAN and xDSL. In June 2016 there were 5.2 million digital and analog pay-TV subscriptions in Sweden. Of this there were 2.8 million digital television subscriptions, which was an increase of 2 percent a year. Broadband expansion also affects how we receive traditional linear television. The number of subscriptions for IPTV continued to increase during the first half writes the Telecom Authority (PTS) in its report.

BBC World Service Biggest Expansion Since the 1940s’

New services aimed at North Korea, Russia and much more.

The service’s Russian-language journalism will be boosted to include extended news bulletins, a relaunched website and more journalists on the ground in Russia. On the Korean peninsula, the BBC will broadcast short-wave and medium-wave radio programs that will allow listeners in North Korea to pick up impartial news. The World Service will also expand its digital services to offer more mobile and video content and a greater social media presence.  The World Service will focus particularly on increasing audience reach with younger people and women.

Parliament Drama: FM Radio Closure in Norway Might Be Postponed

Centre Party worry for insufficient DAB readiness. Would allocate NOK 40 million to postpone an unpopular switch-off. Supported by one of the government parties.

In its alternative budget for 2017 the opposition Centre Party allocate NOK 40 million to cover the cost of postponing the closure of the FM Radio. - We must postpone the switch-off which will start in northernmost Norway January 11, and then be rolling all over the country during 2017, says Janne Sjelmo Nordås member and Vice Chairman of the party's parliamentary group Senter to the daily Dagbladet. The proposal is linked with an prior motion to postpone the closure. The Culture Committee will decide  November 24, following debate and decision in Stortinget - the parliament - on December 6. The Minister of Culture and the conservative party Høyre risk losing, but can be rescued by the largest party.