FM Switch-off in Norway Might Violate European Free Trade Rules

Government again questioned by the surveillance authority about DAB.

The EFTA surveillance authority ESA is not satisfied with the answers they so far have received from the Ministry of Culture regarding DAB. Now there is another ESA letter with several critical issues. Earlier the Norwegian Local Radio Association (NLR) has appealed to ESA because NLR fear that the major players in the radio market, as NRK, P4 and Radio Norway are favored. NLR believes government policy is contrary to EU competition laws. Presently, ESA is handling three different cases regarding the FM to DAB transition in Norway.

SmartCast Project Using DRM for Long-Range Broadcasting

French broadcast provider TDF aims at maritime and international broadcasting markets

TDF has launched a two-year joint project called SmartCAST that aims to study and build a long-range broadcast system, with potential interactivity. Transmission of data, including audio, will be based on the Digital Radio Mondiale standard.

The Illusions of the DAB Radio World Are Worrying

The credibility of the European public broadcasting at risk

During two decades there has been heavy lobbying for the DAB technology created for and by the public broadcasting sector. But is there any market for DAB when the world goes on-line? Are the politicians presented with a distorted picture of an outdated technology? Is the credibility of the public broadcasting sector at risk?
These are some of the questions asked in a critical memorandum The Illusions of The DAB Radio World today released by the Public Service Council (PSR) in Sweden. 

Hot Topic in Norwegian Parliament: Stop The FM Switch-Off

Minister of Culture not telling the truth about rejection of DAB plan in Sweden

Even as the planned closure of the national FM service approaches in 2017, the government is facing continued pushback from members of Stortinget (the Parliament). The Progress Party’s Ib Thomsen recently wrote a letter to the minister of culture Linda Hofstad Helleland, asking who would be responsible for unintended consequences after the national FM service disappears. The party is seriously concerned about radio if DAB plans are completed next year. Now there are also opposition in other parties along a mounting media and public opinion against the switch-off.

Smartphone DAB+ Reviewed in Australia: Radio Disappoints

Digital terrestrial radio is not the reason to buy LG Stylus DAB+

The inclusion of digital radio is a generally positive feature, but it’s not without some significant limitations writes the Australian consumer site finder.com.au. What’s more apparent from a week’s testing is that even in Sydney, digital radio reception on the move can vary widely. We used the Stylus DAB+ for our weekly commute in Sydney, and dealt with constant dropouts, including predictable ones like train tunnels. If you want the Stylus DAB+ for its musical chops, make sure you stay outdoors, preferably not moving much.

Regional Public Radio in Holland Might Quit DAB+ Next Year

Broadcasters need public funding for both FM and DAB - and more bandwidth

Regional public broadcasters will end their digital DAB+ radio broadcasting next year if the government no longer contribute to the costs after September 2017. Broadcasters pay for broadcasting via analogue FM and digital DAB +, but still get compensation for these double costs. - The regional public broadcasters have next year to process a cut of 17 million euros. Both DAB+ and FM without government funding is unsustainable, says ROOS the national federation for regional radio and tv broadcasters.

Norwegian Fishing Sector: Postpone FM Switch-off

Growing public opinion against the DAB radio plan

The Norwegian fishing association, Norges Fiskarlag, has asked the Ministry of Culture to review or postpone the FM radio band switch-off, which is due to start in 2017. It said it has learned that no maritime coverage measures have been taken for Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio, and some fishers have reported poor DAB reception. The association's director, Kjell Ingebrigtsen, said the plan is almost comical, given Norway's large fisheries sector and other maritime industries.  (telecompaper.com)

More Public Funding Necessary For Saving Local Radio Jobs in France

Community Radio Asks for 32 Million Euro Annually

SNRL,the trade association of community radio, is now pressuring the politicians in France. The Support Fund Radiophonic Expression (FSER), provides support to over 600 community radio stations charge of public service missions in France and overseas territories. These are enterprises of social and solidarity economy, employing more than 2.600, including 400 professional journalists. With nearly two million listeners nothing can replace them according to SNRL. But today, the fund lacks one million euros, and it takes another 3 million in 2017. 

First Chip for Receiving All Radio Broadcast Platforms

Octopus 3+ is a complete in-car solution 

French company Parrot Automotive, has presented “O3+” which enables global analog and digital terrestrial radio reception on AM, FM, DAB, DAB+, DRM, DRM+, DVB-T2 Lite and HD Radio standards. Thanks to its background scanning and diversity capacities, the Octopus 3+ is also an all-in-one high-end radio solution. As a result, it enables best-in-class reception of radio in motion, even at very high speeds. 

DRM Recommended for U.S. Digitalization of AM

HD Radio challenged by European technology

Digital Radio Mondiale has submitted comments to the FCC in regards to the AM Revitalization. While the organization says that it is supportive of changes to rules for AM broadcasters, in its comments it also submits a proposal for the FCC to consider its DRM30 standard mode for replacing analog sound broadcasting in frequency bands below 30 MHz. The organization cites its recent rollout in India as an example of its benefits.

FM Chip Activated for New Android Smartphones

Top-line models now are terrestrial radio-capable in the U.S. 

But FM is lost in Windows Mobile update.

The public pressure on FCC for broadcasting emergency capabilities and NextRadio’s lobbying efforts have borne fruit in the U.S. Through an update, telecom operators T-Mobile and Sprint have enabled the FM chip in its Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones, according to Android Authority. 

Australia to End Public Funding of DAB for Community Radio

Survival for 37 radio stations not likely without government support

The Federal Budget contains cuts of $1.4 million p.a. funding that currently keeps community radio stations broadcasting on DAB+ in 5 capital cities; Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.  The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has responded to the Federal Budget saying that it has failed to maintain funding for metropolitan community digital radio services and has "taken the community out of radio."