Netherlands - Regulation and Spectrum - History
15.11.2013
Key features of regulation for digital radio in the Netherlands are;
- Two national MUX, one public using DAB, one commercial using DAB+
- All of the current national FM commercial broadcasters are now transmitting in DAB+
- All new FM licenses contain a condition to broadcast on DAB+
- In June 2013 the public broadcaster NPO, announced that it will accelerated build-out and increase the number of transmitters from 10 to 24 to achieve nationwide coverage by end 2013
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 are likely to choose DAB+.
National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex license 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 assigned L-Band frequencies.
Licenses have been issued in Band III to Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) and in L-Band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area. MTVNL owns the license for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven region. A full nationwide commercial launch began in 2012.
There is no defined FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for six years until the end of 2017. Planned switch-off date by the government is 2023. The formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off.
08.03.2013
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 are likely to choose DAB+.
National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex license 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 assigned L-band frequencies.
Licenses have been issued in Band III to Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area. TV Mobile Netherlands BV owns the license for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven region. A full nationwide commercial launch will begin in 2012.
There is no FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for six years until the end of 2017. Formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off.
17.10.2012
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 are likely to choose DAB+ .
National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex license 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 assigned L-band frequencies.
Licenses have been issued in Band III to Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area. TV Mobile Netherlands BV owns the license for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven region. A full nationwide commercial launch will begin in 2012.
There is no FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for six years until the end of 2017. Formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off.