Switzerland - Regulation and Spectrum - History

03.05.2018

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Switzerland are:

Band III
National multiplexes
All stations are on DAB+
In 2013 stand-alone Band III ensembles were authorised by the regulator in the main conurbations, intended as a DAB+ platform for the smaller, non-commercial broadcasters
On December 1st 2014 radio market players presented to the regulator a detailed digital switch over plan
In 2016, it will be decided whether all services in the future should be DAB+
OFCOM holds the spectrum licence
In mid-February 2012, OFCOM awarded a broadcast licence to Romandie Médias SA to operate a further DAB+ network in French-speaking Switzerland. The new platform, which has a capacity of up to 18 DAB+ stations, went on air in April 2014.
The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.

Commercial radio and media companies in the German part of Switzerland were granted 8 licences in summer
2007. SwissMediaCast AG was granted a licence to broadcast on Channel 7D and 9A by Swiss Ofcom (the regulator). SMC AG running the first commercial DAB+ multiplex in German-speaking Switzerland.

From 2020, regional radio stations which cover conurbations should benefit from greater autonomy by no longer being subject to a licensing system including a performance mandate. This proposal is included in the revised Radio and Television Ordinance (RTVO) which the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is putting out for consultation from 16 February 2017. The new text, which deals with radio broadcasting, also paves the way for the transition from FM to DAB+. The consultation runs until 26 May 2017.

09.02.2018

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Switzerland are:

Band III
National multiplexes
All stations are on DAB+
In 2013 stand-alone Band III ensembles were authorised by the regulator in the main conurbations, intended as a DAB+ platform for the smaller, non-commercial broadcasters
On December 1st 2014 radio market players presented to the regulator a detailed digital switch over plan
In 2016, it will be decided whether all services in the future should be DAB+
OFCOM holds the spectrum licence
In mid-February 2012, OFCOM awarded a broadcast licence to Romandie Médias SA to operate a further DAB+ network in French-speaking Switzerland. The new platform, which has a capacity of up to 18 DAB+ stations, went on air in April 2014.
The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.

24.02.2017

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Switzerland are:

Band III
National multiplexes
All stations are on DAB+. Until 2016 there will be 8 stations simulcast on DAB.
In 2013 stand-alone Band III ensembles were authorised by the regulator in the main conurbations, intended as a DAB+ platform for the smaller, non-commercial broadcasters
On December 1st 2014 radio market players presented to the regulator a detailed digital switch over plan
In 2016, it will be decided whether all services in the future should be DAB+
OFCOM holds the spectrum licence
In mid-February 2012, OFCOM awarded a broadcast licence to Romandie Médias SA to operate a further DAB+ network in French-speaking Switzerland. The new platform, which has a capacity of up to 18 DAB+ stations, went on air in April 2014.
The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.