U.S. Politicians Calls For FM in Smartphones

Minimal effort required to active FM radio

The Indiana State Senate has adopted a resolution urging wireless carriers to activate the FM radio receivers in smartphones. The resolution focuses on radio’s public safety role and comes as Indiana-based Emmis Communications has stepped up advocacy efforts to get FM receivers activated. The company says similar legislative actions are set to take place in other states.

Community Radio and Television Join Forces in Sweden

A new media structure is born. Renowned media personality to head new organization.

Again the local democracy must be conquered, says Lotta Gröning, renowned journalist and historian, elected as President of Community Media Sweden (CMS) a new umbrella organization constituted today in Upsala by National Association of Open Channels (ROK) and Community Radio Association (NRO).

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.