Belgium - Current situation - History
27.09.2018
A federal launch of DAB+ is planned for 2018, with 99% population DAB+ coverage anticipated. In Wallonia, government, public and private broadcasters supportive of EU receiver regulation. DAB+ radio frequencies will be available for tender for the first time in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium, after the regulator CSA has approved the tender process to proceed. Successful tenders will be awarded for nine years.
In Flanders, the government is preparing legislation for the renewal of FM licensing with a timeline for implementation of DAB+ by 2018.
The Flemish government approved on 13 May 2016 the concept of the automatic renewal of the FM licenses for the major commercial broadcasters until 2022, coupled with the obligation to invest in in DAB+. The government also decided that FM shutdown should take place two years after the reach of 50% digital listening time, with an ultimate switch-off date to be decided by the end of 2016.
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
In June 2018, the Parliament of Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved a draft decree to amend audiovisual services in French-speaking Belgium, paving the way for the deployment of DAB+ services in the region.
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, online single radioplayer, hybrid radio and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio in DAB+.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with nine radio stations. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex.
A dedicated digital radio website was launched in May 2015 for promotion and information on DAB and DAB+ in Flanders and Brussels (www.digitalradio.vlaanderen).
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplexes cover the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content.
18.06.2018
A federal launch of DAB+ is planned for 2018, with 99% population DAB+ coverage anticipated. In Wallonia, government, public and private broadcasters supportive of EU receiver regulation. In Flanders, the government is preparing legislation for the renewal of FM licensing with a timeline for implementation of DAB+ by 2018.
The Flemish government approved on 13 May 2016 the concept of the automatic renewal of the FM licenses for the major commercial broadcasters until 2022, coupled with the obligation to invest in in DAB+. The government also decided that FM shutdown should take place two years after the reach of 50% digital listening time, with an ultimate switch-off date to be decided by the end of 2016.
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
In June 2018, the Parliament of Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved a draft decree to amend audiovisual services in French-speaking Belgium, paving the way for the deployment of DAB+ services in the region.
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, online single radioplayer, hybrid radio and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio in DAB+.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with nine radio stations. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex.
A dedicated digital radio website was launched in May 2015 for promotion and information on DAB and DAB+ in Flanders and Brussels (www.digitalradio.vlaanderen).
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplexes cover the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content.
26.01.2017
A federal launch of DAB+ is planned for 2018, with 99% population DAB+ coverage anticipated by end 2017/early 2018. In Wallonia, government, public and private broadcasters supportive of EU receiver regulation. In Flanders, the government is preparing legislation for the renewal of FM licensing with a timeline for implementation of DAB+ by 2018.
The Walloon government decided on 13 May 2016 to finance a significant part of the investments needed for the DAB+ roll-out in French speaking Belgium.
The Flemish government approved on 13 May 2016 the concept of the automatic renewal of the FM licenses for the major commercial broadcasters until 2022, coupled with the obligation to invest in in DAB+. The government also decided that FM shutdown should take place two years after the reach of 50% digital listening time, with an ultimate switch-off date to be decided by the end of 2016.
Therefore 2017 should see the major launch of DAB+ for the two main Communities of the federal state of Belgium.
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian French speaking community, Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française de Belgique (RTBF) has operated one regional DAB multiplex (covering Brussels and Wallonia) since 1998, simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radio stations. RTBF is also testing three DAB+ audio (in different bit rates and with slideshows) and one data channel, on the same multiplex, for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the private broadcasters, subject to approval from the French Community Government and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA).
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, online single radioplayer, hybrid radio and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio in DAB+.
The CSA launched a public consultation about digital radio in DAB+ in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback. In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June 2012 the Government authorized RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licenced by the CSA.
The next step is to achieve a funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technical DAB+ rollout, upgrade of the current RTBF DAB network to DAB+ to ensure indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for a potential public launch in 2017. RTBF is also testing Radio DNS interactive slideshows on its DAB+ channels.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with nine radio stations. Four of them are DAB exclusive: Nieuws+ (news), Sporza (sport), Klara Continuo (classic music) and MNM Hits (Top 40). On top of the nine DAB audio channels, there is a data channel with TPEG. VRT is also testing one DAB+ audio channel (in different bit rates and with MOT slideshows), on the same multiplex. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex.
Begining in 2016, the VRT has received new guidelines from the Flemish government. The future of the public radio is digital. VRT radio has to set on digitalisation, both via DAB+, digital television and internet.
VRT has to participate in an industry supported initiative to make the technical transition from FM to DAB+. The VRT announced to switch its current DAB services to DAB+.
Norkring België also has the license for operating a commercial DAB multiplex in Flanders and Brussels. Based on this license Norkring launched on May 20th, 2015 a second layer in DAB+ in Brussels and the surrounding area with 8 commercial radio stations. The coverage of the second layer was extended to an outdoor region-wide deployment on 13 March 2016. Full indoor coverage is expected to be completed early 2017. A dedicated digital radio website was launched in May 2015 for promotion and information on DAB and DAB+ in Flanders and Brussels (www.digitalradio.vlaanderen).
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplexes cover the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content.