Sweden - Regulation and Spectrum - History
08.03.2013
Regulation for public service radio
The government proposes and the Parliament decides on the national Broadcasting Act in which license conditions and terms are set for the public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio (SR) . The license period is six years . The current license is valid until 31 December 2013 and it allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+ in VHF band III, to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo) . In 2011, the Government commissioned an inquiry to broadly review the license terms for radio and television public service under the new licensing period starting 2014 . The assignment was reported on the 11 September 2012 when the Commission proposed that SR should expand their DAB network coverage to 95% and get financial means to do so . A bill is expected to be presented to parliament in 2013 for the new license terms to take effect from 1 January 2014.
Regulation for commercial radio
In 2012, the national authority for Radio and Television issued the application process for commercial digital radio licenses. The licenses will be decided by the Authority for Radio and TV in the form of a beauty contest . On 1st October 2012, seven commercial broadcasters applied for a total of 22 licenses in both national and regional VHF band III networks. Major commercial broadcasters MTG radio and SBS radio, representing more than 91% of all non-public service radio listening, has applied for commercial digital licenses. Currently, in January 2013, they are awaiting the decision by the Authority. The commercial licenses will be valid from 2013 until 2020.
At the spectrum conference GE-2006 Sweden was awarded a total spectrum equivalent to of 4 nationwide DAB/DAB+ multiplexers in band III. 3 of the 4 multiplexes are MFN:s (making regional insertion possible up to the maximum of 34 available frequency layers).
In 2010 the Swedish Government awarded 2 of the 4 multiplexers (spectrumwise) to public service radio and remaining 2 multiplexers to commercial radio.
Public service radio currently, in January 2013, has some limitations in their digital broadcast license; they are only allowed to broadcast in four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) and only with a maximum number of 9-10 services. There are no constraints on bitrates or choice of technology DAB or DAB+. The public service radio licenses are awarded to Swedish Radio by the Government on a six year basis and the next period start 1 January 2014.
Commercial radio is currently, in January 2013, being awarded digital licenses. So far the Authorities have stated that there will be no requirements on bit rate per service in the licenses. But, the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16. Also, the commercial license holders are obliged to cooperate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area.
17.10.2012
Regulation for public service radio
The government proposes and the Parliament decides on the national Broadcasting Act in which license conditions and terms are set for the public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio. The license period is six years. The current license is valid until 31 December 2013 and it allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+, to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo). In 2011, the Government commissioned an inquiry to broadly review the license terms for radio and television public service under the new licensing period starting 2014. Issues to be reviewed include digital radio. The assignment must be reported no later than 1 September 2012. A bill is expected to be presented to parliament in 2013 for the new license terms to take effect from 1 January 2014.
Regulation for commercial radio
In 2012, the national authority for Radio and Television issued the application process for commercial digital radio licenses. They will be issued in 2012 with a possible start of transmissions in 1 January 2013 and will be valid until 2020. The commercial radio licenses will be decided by the Authority for Radio and TV in the form of a beauty contest starting 2012 . It will be possible to seek licenses for both national and regional broadcasts. There will be no requirements on bit rate per service in the licenses but the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16.
The license holders will cooperate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area. The public service radio licenses are awarded to Swedish Radio by the Government on a four year basis.
15.10.2012
Regulation for public service radio
The government proposes and the Parliament decides on the national Broadcasting Act in which license conditions and terms are set for the public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio . The license period is six years . The current license is valid until 31 December 2013 and it allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+, to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo) . In 2011, the Government commissioned an inquiry to broadly review the license terms for radio and television public service under the new licensing period starting 2014 . Issues to be reviewed include digital radio . The assignment must be reported no later than 1 September 2012 . A bill is expected to be presented to parliament in 2013 for the new license terms to take effect from 1 January 2014
Regulation for commercial radio
: In 2012, the national authority for Radio and Television issued the application process for commercial digital radio licenses . They will be issued in 2012 with a possible start of transmissions in 1 January 2013 and will be valid until 2020 . The commercial radio licenses will be decided by the Authority for Radio and TV in the form of a beauty contest starting 2012 . It will be possible to seek licenses for both national and regional broadcasts . There will be no requirements on bit rate per service in the licenses but the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16
The license holders will cooperate in technical matters including choice of network operator . Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area . The public service radio licenses are awarded to Swedish Radio by the Government on a four year basis