20 new frequency packages for 2027 for commercial radio.The Swiss Federal Communications Authority (OFCOM) has announced the new FM frequency packages for the period starting in 2027. Private radio stations can now apply for the corresponding broadcasting licenses. A total of 20 frequency packages are available in 13 regions. The planned coverage areas largely correspond to the situation before 2020. Radio stations which are already broadcast digitally via DAB+ in the respective region are eligible to apply by July 31, 2026.
- The new FM licenses will enter into force in January 2027. If several broadcasters apply for the same frequencies, an auction will determine the allocation. A separate process is underway in parallel for the public service broadcaster SRG and for 25 licensed local and community radio stations with a public service mandate. These stations can now also submit applications.
This procurement is part of the reorganization of FM broadcasting in Switzerland. Originally, a complete phase-out of FM was planned, but this has been postponed. Radio stations now have another opportunity to secure FM capacity for many years.
Still, Norway is remaining as the only country in the World without a national FM-network. Local and community radio is continuing on FM.
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