FM Radio Winner In Public Service Consultation

Requirement for DAB expansion for public radio is not supported in Sweden. Mandatory FM receivers in new cars are welcomed.

Although the proposal to replace FM with DAB was firmly rejected by the parliament in 2016 the issue is still on the agenda in Sweden. However, the analogue FM network consolidates its continued strong position in the media landscape according to the now concluded consultation regarding public service broadcasting. 

The government's expert authority, the Post and Telecommunications Board (PTS), agrees with the committee's conclusion that no requirement should be introduced for public radio Sveriges Radio’s to expand DAB broadcasting. Civil society organizations for local radio and television see serious consequences for community radio if SR abandons the FM band for DAB. It is only commercial broadcaster Viaplay that wants SR to expand and broadcast in the DAB network. In several opinions, it is welcomed that, as in Finland, requirements for FM receivers in new cars should be introduced.

- Here is an overview of the consultation responses regarding FM and DAB:

European Market Players Join For 5G Broadcast Smartphones

Receiver profile for Europe released for review
The European 5G Broadcast handset taskforce, gathering EBU and BNE members, meets a major milestone for the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast terrestrial radio and television reception functionality in Europe.

In an aim to drive the introduction of smartphones with 5G Broadcast reception in Europe, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE), with the support of Qualcomm Technologies, have formed a working group to establish a common receiver profile for 5G Broadcast.

5G Broadcast Radio And Tv Summer Tests In France

Terrestrial radio and television reaching out on smartphones

France is among 20 countries where 5G Broadcast terrestrial digital radio and television (DTT) is being tested. During the Olympics and throughout this summer, TDF allows users to test smartphones equipped with a chip specially configured for this test. In the areas covered by the experiment (Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux), they can watch the France 2, France 24 and Arte public television channels on these phones, while on the move, but also listen to public radio France Bleu and France Info.

France is emerging as a significant test bed for 5G Broadcast, with hundreds of mobile phones available in hands of experts and consumers. Karim El Naggar, general manager of audiovisual and networks at the TDF group: We plan to make DTT accessible on mobile within three years, and thus meet the needs of younger people in terms of content consumption. We are delighted to collaborate with various publishers, including France Télévisions, for this live test which underlines our commitment to maintaining DTT and spreading its service offering to a wider audience.

DRM Becoming the Major Digital Radio Platform in Asia

(picture: Redtech.pro)

China reaffirms need for digital audio in all domestic cars

After securing the huge Indian broadcasting market the digital terrestrial radio system DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) now is strongly positioning itself  in the Chinese domestic market. This will leave DAB  -the other European system - further far behind on the global market.  

According to RedTech.pro the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly met specifically on the provision of audio and video in cars. NRTA and MIIT promoted the inclusion of digital receivers with DRM (and the domestic system CDR) in all domestically produced and imported vehicles to be sold on the domestic market. Last year in their joint letter the Chinese authorities also expressed the intention to accelerate the construction of digital radio broadcasting coverage networks with digital AM broadcasting (DRM) transmission systems at local medium wave transmission stations. 

DAB radio without any government support in Sweden

Politicians reject demands for DAB expansion for public broadcaster.  FM will remain as the major platform for radio.

The Public Service Committee, with representatives from all eight parties in the parliament, has now submitted its final report to the Minister of Culture. On many issues there was disagreement between the government side and the opposition, however, not regarding the question of a DAB expansion for public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR). All parties remained cold-hearted to break a 30-year stalemate regarding the DAB system as an alternative to terrestrial FM radio. Now, this might be the beginning of an end for DAB in Sweden. The public service channels have more than a 65 percent share of the radio audience. 

First Terrestrial 5G Broadcast Opens to General Public in Boston

5G Broadcast experimental  FCC licences in the US

XGen Network ( XGN), a network operator for US 5G Broadcasting TV stations, has announced the launch of the first solution for the general public to receive an over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal on an SDR (software defined radio) with downloadable software. The SDR software will enable, to begin with ham radio operators, the ability to receive WWOO’s Boston over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal. 

5G Broadcast - Ready For Global Launch 2024

The Universal Radio and Television Mobility Platform 

 The LTE-based 5G Terrestrial Broadcast System or ”5G Broadcast” might soon disrupt and replace terrestrial digital broadcasting models as DVB-T2 and DAB writes the Public Service Council (Sweden) in a report.

In 2024 there are 7 billion smartphones in the world. Global 5G mobile subscriptions are projected to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2023. The smartphone is a versatile communication tool. More than previously anticipated it is now becoming the most important platform for radio and television listening and viewing. Video and audio streaming (including radio and television channels) is now taking approximately 75% of the global Internet capacity.

Media content is increasingly being delivered on Internet via fixed line and mobile IP networks. Audiences on the move will consume OTT (Over-the-top) broadband media. OTT as a platform for radio and television already is outpacing DTT (DVB-T2) and DAB-radio via smartphones and Connected Cars via fixed and mobile broadband as well WiFi access. 

DAB+ in an Old DAB Radio, Forget It!

Millions of UK DAB radio listeners to be locked out 

DAB radio listeners are facing the possibility of being locked out of popular stations, including Classic FM, as major channels are abandoning older DAB radio system in favor of the new DAB+ technology. This move is forcing listeners to purchase more modern radios in order to continue accessing their favorite stations.

The shift to digital radio was initially prompted by the government’s plan to turn off the FM signal, but with this delay until at least 2030, many DAB radios are becoming obsolete as they can only pick up the DAB signal and not the modern DAB+. Classic FM, which boasts around 4.5 million listeners, is among the popular stations that have announced their switch to DAB+. However, this change will leave behind around one-third of DAB radio owners who do not have DAB+ capacity.

DAB Will Never Replace FM In Australia

For commercial radio digital radio will play a "complementary and supporting role"

DAB is a great digital radio platform. But it will never replace analog FM broadcasting in Australia. So said Ford Ennals, CEO of Australia’s Commercial Radio & Audio, during his “DAB Down Under” talk at the WorldDAB Summit 2023 in Munich, Germany. He is drawing the same conclusions as the government made already in 2015.

In Australia, we were a relative early adopter of DAB, said Ennals. 2009 I think we started. And it’s important, but it will never take the place of FM. I think there will be markets where DAB has an important role to play, but it’s a complementary and supporting role.

Norwegian Broadcast Provider Sells Itself out of Belgium

Norkring's transmitter network sold for a surprisingly low price.

The investment company Cordiant Digital Infrastructure, based in the tax haven of Guernsey, takes over the company Norkring België, from Telenor (75%) and Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (25%) for 5.25 million euros according to RadioWereld.nl.

Norkring Belgium was founded in 2008 through the privatization of the transmitter park and transmission towers of the public broadcaster VRT. In total, Norkring Belgium owns 25 communication and broadcasting masts, including the large mast in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw near Brussels, the tallest structure in Belgium at 325 meters. In addition, Norkring also operates he two national commercial DAB+ networks. Norkring also owns a digital terrestrial network in Flanders.

Political Agreement Call Off FM Radio Switch-off in Bavaria

Strong industry opposition put an end to the media authority's plans

The threatened FM shutdown in Bavaria in 2025 is off the agenda, as evidenced by the coalition agreement signed on October 26, 2023 by the CSU and the Free Voters. The agreement states that they want to extend the FM frequencies until 2035. "FM will only be switched off when the financial viability of the private radio industry allows this," the parties write.

A big row about FM and DAB had arisen in the German state of Bavaria before the Media Days conference in Munich, despite the fact that the state is where DAB radio has the strongest position in Germany. Large parts of the commercial radio industry have protested against the authority's plans to begin shutting down FM as the current broadcasting license expires in 2025.

FM Radio Will Stay On in Norway

Local radio retains its current FM licenses until 2031

Today, national radio channels in Norway only broadcast on DAB, while FM is still the main platform for local radio. The government is now scrapping its previous proposal to re-announce all FM concessions in 2025 and proposes that the local radio stations may keep their concessions until 2031.  -  What will happen next with FM in Norway is still difficult to predict, but the experiences from the rest of the world suggest that FM will be retained for decades to come. No other countries have yet replaced FM with DAB.