Strong Support for Mandatory FM Radio in Cars in Sweden.

In time of war and crisis robust broadcast networks get priority.

Regarding the ongoing distribution inquiry's report on the future terrestrial networks for radio and television, eleven authorities and companies have commented on the proposal that all new cars should also be able to receive analogue terrestrial radio broadcasts, i.e. FM. Positive to the proposal are Swedish Public Radio, the Post and Telecom Agency (PTS), the Armed Forces, Netnod, Schibsted, Teracom, National Educational Broadcaster (UR), Mobility Sweden, the Transport Workers' Union and Viaplay Group. Only the Competition Authority rejects the proposal.--- Read more about how the institutions view FM radio in cars below:

Sweden Joins the Global 5G Broadcast Bandwagon

System now being tested for radio and TV in Stockholm.

After more than five years of development work in 20 countries with the new 5G Broadcast technology, it is now on the agenda of broadcast provider Teracom which has started testing in Stockholm. The project will last for at least two years. Right now, public service radio (1) and television channels (4) are included in the broadcasts, which are primarily intended for mobile devices such as smartphones and connected cars. The broadcasts take place in the terrestrial network for TV (UHF band 682 MHz).  Read more here >

DAB Will Not Replace FM Radio In Switzerland

FM radio is now secured until 2034. Years of political battles are now over.

In Switzerland, the future of FM radio after 2026 is politically secured. In December 2025, the parliament decided to continue to allow analogue broadcasting. Now, the media authority OFCOM, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, has presented the specific framework for the allocation of FM frequencies from 2027. The step back to FM represents a major setback for the lobby that wanted, as in Norway, to completely replace FM with DAB+.

DAB+ Broadcasting License in Switzerland Returned

 Signs of radio platform's lack of profitability and added value

After several years of political controversy, Switzerland has decided to cancel the planned closure of FM radio. Large parts of the commercial radio industry - especially local radio stations - judged DAB+ to be an insufficient alternative to reach audiences and thus profitability. - ”For economic reasons," broadcasting company SwissMediaCast (SMC) has now returned its DAB+ license in Ticino. The provider applied for the Ticino DAB+ license in 2020 at the request of radio companies in German-speaking Switzerland. They were guaranteed continuous coverage from Basel to Chiasso. The first six of a total of eight transmitters went into operation in 2020. "The Ticino mux was initially able to fill 15 of the 18 available slots," the company said.

Smartphones In France Will Access Terrestrial Networks Already This Year

Operational 5G Broadcast in DTT networks to cover 40 million 2028.

As announced at the the Mobile World Congress the French telecom and broadcast provider TDF launching the operational deployment of 5G BROADCAST starting in 2026: around twenty sites in France this year to cover more than 12 million inhabitants, followed by a gradual rollout until the end of 2028 with more than 320 sites across the country and more than 40 million people covered. This summer, 5G BROADCAST will also be deployed in the Rennes metro. A concrete demonstration of its ability to operate in mobile environments, including complex ones.

First Smartphone With 5G Broadcast - Soon in Your Pocket

Launch in Barcelona signals an upcoming mass market.

At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​XGN Global (USA) and X1 Mobile (Ireland) have presented the world's first commercial smartphone capable of receiving 5G BROADCAST. The X1 Mobile 5G Broadcast Rugged Smartphone has been specifically designed for emergency services and to deliver enhanced broadcast content in demanding environments where traditional mobile networks may be congested or unavailable.

5G BROADCAST is conceived as a transformative terrestrial technology that aims to enable the direct delivery of live TV, radio and emergency information to compatible devices without requiring a mobile subscription or consuming mobile data. Its goal is to leverage existing broadcast infrastructure for efficient coverage over a larger entire area. (Read much more below)