DAB Radio Proposal Near Death in Swedish Consultation Round.

Plan for a transition from FM to DAB+ rejected by expertise and major authorities.

The proposal for a transition from FM to DAB+ 2016-2022 has been rejected by central public institutions and many experts in Sweden. Only some minor authorities are behind the proposal together with established DAB proponents. This confirms the unison negative opinion in media when the proposal was presented to the Government in December 2014. The negative and positive respondents are listed below.

After receiving an inquiry report by the National Audit Office on April 14 the Ministry of Culture will consider the next step; a proposal to the Parliament for a transition to DAB, to continue with more inquiries or to scrap the idea of replacing FM, which then will put an end to 20 years of efforts to introduce DAB radio in Sweden. 

UK Analogue Radio Licences Extended

Commercial Radio To Stay on FM for Another Five Years

Analogue radio licences for the three national commercial networks and more than 60 local commercial radio stations are to be renewed for a further five years following a change in legislation. The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed the extension, which will secure the analogue future of these radio stations, including Classic FM, TalkSport and Absolute.

Delayed Austrian Digital Radio Project

Major Participants Drop Out of Vienna DAB+ Test

The planned DAB+ test for Vienna and environs, originally scheduled for the middle of April, has now been pushed back to the end of May. Two important participants, public broadcaster ORF, and the national commercial broadcaster Kronehit, have dropped out of the test, according to radio.nl. ORF had plans to test a youth channel FM21 / Ö3Plus.

FM Radio To Cover Indian Border Audience

Government calls for FM in border areas

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the country’s defence force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to set up radio communication in border areas, according to The Times of India. He said the SSB should consider starting FM radio channels in the border areas so that Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme could reach there. Also if needed he could also communicate with the forces though these channels.

Nordic Motorist Organizations: Put a Brake on FM Switch-Offs

DAB Radio may cost Danish and Norwegian car-owners more than 2 billion euro.

The Danish national motorist organization FDM has asked for an inquiry into the cost for of a transition from FM to DAB 2019.  - The Norwegian organization for car-importers BIL has informed to the ministry of culture that their members reject the elements of compulsion and a premature FM switch-off 2017 in "little Norway" in comparison with the rest of the world. - In Sweden two national motor organizations have questioned a premature switch-off 2022. - Finland permanently opted out of DAB already 2007.

Britain Is Not Ready For a DAB Radio Switchover

Pessimistic minister admits people are wedded to their FM radio

Ed Vaizey, the UK minister for culture, communications and creative industries, has admitted that the public’s limited uptake of DAB radios has harmed industry across the country. Vaizey said that government plans for an all-digital radio future have been knee-capped by DAB radio’s slow penetration in the UK market.