Norway first country to shut down FM radio

Norway will be the first country to shut down FM radio.

Beginning January 11 2017, Norway will become the first country to switch over exclusively to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) as a national standard.

The news was announced by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture last week, finalising the government’s radio digitisation mandate issued to make the switch in 2011.

“The cost of transmitting national radio channels through the FM- network is eight times higher than with the DAB-network, and P4, Radio Norge and NRK are currently spending large sums on parallel distribution,” reads the official statement. “The digitalization of Norway’s national radio channels will realise savings of more than NOK 200 million a year, releasing funds for investment in radio content.”

DABexceeds FM coverage in Norway, the country has22 national channels to FM's five. DABhas been available in Norway since 1995, and the updated version DAB+ has been available since 2007.

The switchover will begin in the Northin Nordland county and will be implemented region by region, finishing in Troms and Finnmark on December 13 2017.

“Radio digitisation will open the door to a far greater range of radio channels, benefiting listeners across the country," said Norway'sMinister of Culture Thorhild Widvey."Listeners will have access to more diverse and pluralistic radio-content, and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality. Digitisation will also greatly improve the emergency preparedness system, facilitate increased competition and offer new opportunities for innovation and development."

Joan Warner, CEO Commercial Radio Australia offered her reaction toTMN:

“Congratulations to Norway on this significant announcement. DAB+ free-to-air broadcast digital radio technology is a major part of the future of radio. Norway has capitalised on its smaller population and land size since its 1995 launch to reach a tipping point in broadcast technology," Warner toldTMN."Australia’s adoption of DAB+ broadcast technology in 2009 also continues to grow, with 3.2 million people in the five metro capitals now listening to digital radio.We look forward to working with the Federal Government to plan the rollout of DAB+ digital radio to regional Australia.”

In Australia, digital radio services were introduced to metropolitan licence areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) on July 1 2009. We have 46 DAB+ digital radio only stations,and additional pop up stations like Elf Radio at Christmas and theAnzac Day digital station, and just under 30 ABC/SBS signals – accessible to 61% of the population.CRA predicts that over 10% of new vehicles sold in Australia will include DAB+ .

Reviews of the digital radio regulatory regime and digital radio transmission technologiesare being undertaken to consider implementation of DAB+ into regional areas. Trials in Canberra and Darwin are being conducted by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA), and they’ll run until June 30 2015.

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) CEO Jon Bisset also offered his reaction to TMN.He has said it is "forward-facing" and while a shut down ofanalog is a way off for Australia, community sector research on digital radio listening is impressiveand the Australian Government is expected to announce a committee to plan the next roll-out of digital radio.

Read CBAA CEO Jon Bisset'sfull response below:

"The Norwegian Government decision to switch off FM in favour of DAB+ in
2017 is a strong and positive statement about the digitisation of radio
broadcasting.

"It is welcomed by the broadcasters there. It will save them continued
costs for operating analog services. It will prompt receiver development
in cars. It will provide improved free-to-air services for people in
Norway, and many new services. It is future facing.

"The switch off is part of a resurgent mood to embrace DAB+ right across
Europe, and in other parts of the world.

"Australia led the way by introducing DAB+, with its late generation high
quality audio coding. Digital radio is increasingly integrated with
online to provide a hybrid and multi-platform radio experience. The key is
that services must be available on a free-to-air basis.

"The community sector is a critical component of media diversity in
Australia and, thanks to legislation, funding and cross-party political
support, it has 37 services on-air in digital. A great achievement.

"While analog switch off is a way off in Australia – the take up of digital
radio is very strong. Community sector research shows that, where digital
radio is available, it accounts for 19% of all radio listening. The
broader radio industry is averaging 21%. These are impressive figures
given digital radio has only been on air for five years and with coverage
only in metropolitan areas.

"Now, the CBAA, along with other radio sectors, is keen to see digital
radio extend beyond the metropolitan areas, to regional areas.

"The community, commercial and national broadcasters all see a strong
future for radio as a free-to-air broadcast medium.

"The Government here is expected to announce an industry committee, with
key involvement of the community, commercial and national broadcasters to
plan the next stage roll-out of digital radio."