Norway just became the worlds first country to do away with its FM radio broadcast network and switching to digital audio broadcasting (DAB).
DAB tech was introduced in Norway back in 1995, and approximately 55 percent of households in the country now have DAB receivers.
What really sets the DAB technology apart is its clearer sound and the option for multiple stations to go on air simultaneously. Currently, according to reports there are 22 DAB broadcasters in Norway and the number is yet anticipated to grow as the FM networks have been done away with.
The revolutionary measure is, yet widely out of favor in the country, with around 66 percent opposing it, and only 17 percent supporting the switchover. Phasing out FM broadcasts would make almost eight million older receivers outdated. Around two million cars in Norway dont have DAB receivers, which is of particular worry, considering that radio is used to send emergency messages.
Chairman of the Norwegian Local Radio Federation, Svein Larsen says, The opposition is not difficult to understand. It is obviously difficult to argue the necessity to turn off the FM network and replace it with DAB. When one thinks of [public broadcaster] NRKs intensive campaign in favor of DAB, the numbers are surprisingly low. But Norway has made its decision. For practical and economic reasons it is too late to turn back no.
The switch wil be taking place next Wednesday in the northern city of Bodo and continue southwards. Some local radio stations will however be continuing FM transmissions until 2022.
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