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Netherlands - Regulation and Spectrum - History

24.06.2015

Key features of regulation for digital radio in the Netherlands are:

  • Two national MUX, both public and commercial, using DAB+
  • All of the current national FM commercial broadcasters are now transmitting in DAB+
  • All new FM and MW licenses (granted in 2011) contain a condition to broadcast digitally (simulcasting)
  • The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-Band should be used for DAB based services. Broadcasters may choose to use DAB, DAB+ or DMB. The majority of interested parties have chosen DAB+.
  • National commercial stations have obtained a multiplex licence for a minimum of 16 DAB stations. Regional stations (both public and commercial) had until 10 June 2011 to inform the minister if they would use a commercial regional mux, or piggy back on an already issued mux (operated by MTVNL). Local radio is interested in Band III as well.
  • Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) owns a licence for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast in Band III and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven regions.
  • There is no defined FM switch off date, but FM licenses are extended for six years until the end of 2017. Planned switch off date for the government is 2023. The formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licenses, there will be a full review regarding developments of analogue and digital radio.
  • By September 1st 2015, 21 services (from 13 regional public stations) will be on air and the regional commercial services will start in all allotments.
  • 2016: review on the development of digital radio.
  • Depending on success of digital radio, DSO is possible – with potential date of 2023.
  • Important indicators: >50% of households own a digital radio and developments in other European countries.
  • Public broadcaster NPO will switch off AM on the 1st September 2015 and use DAB+ instead of AM for broadcasting NPO Radio 5. 
02.10.2014

Key features of regulation for digital radio in the Netherlands are:

  • Two national MUX, both public and commercial, using DAB+
  • All of the current national FM commercial broadcasters are now transmitting in DAB+
  • All new FM and MW licenses (granted in 2011) contain a condition to broadcast digitally (simulcasting)

  • The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-Band should be used for DAB based services. Broadcasters may choose to use DAB, DAB+ or DMB. The majority of interested parties have chosen DAB+.

  • National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex licence for a minimum of 16 DAB stations. Regional stations (both public and commercial) had until 10 June 2011 to inform the minister if they would use a commercial regional mux, or piggy back on an already issued mux (operated by MTVNL). Local radio is interested in Band III as well.

  • Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) owns a licence for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast in Band III and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven regions.

  • There is no defined FM switch off date, but FM licenses are extended for six years until the end of 2017. Planned switch off date for the government is 2023. The formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licenses, there will be a full review regarding developments of analogue and digital radio.

  • Public broadcaster NPO will switch off AM on the 1st of September 2015.
01.10.2014

Key features of regulation for digital radio in the Netherlands are:

  • Two national MUX, both public and commercial, using DAB+
  • All of the current national FM commercial broadcasters are now transmitting in DAB+
  • All new FM and MW licenses (granted in 2011) contain a condition to broadcast digitally (simulcasting)

  • The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-Band should be used for DAB based services. Broadcasters may choose to use DAB, DAB+ or DMB. The majority of interested parties have chosen DAB+.

  • National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex licence for a minimum of 16 DAB stations. Regional stations (both public and commercial) had until 10 June 2011 to inform the minister if they would use a commercial regional mux, or piggy back on an already issued mux (operated by MTVNL). Local radio is interested in Band III as well.

  • Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) owns a licence for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast in Band III and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven regions.

  • There is no defined FM switch off date, but FM licenses are extended for six years until the end of 2017. Planned switch off date for the government is 2023. The formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licenses, there will be a full review regarding developments of analogue and digital radio.