The Public Service Committee today propose a switchover from FM to digital radio for Sweden.

13.09.2012 - Sweden

SWEDEN 2012-09-11

Martin Holmgren, Chairman of the Committee:
-We suggest that the public broadcaster, Swedish Radio, take a central role and act as an engine for digitalization. Also, Swedish Radio should be given financial means for a network and content expansion of digital radio. This also means good incentives for the commercial broadcasters to roll-out digital radio in collaboration with the public service broadcaster.

The report has been commissioned by Ministry of Culture and holds several other proposals such as replacing the current radio/TV fee with a special tax. The Swedish Parliament will take a decision on the proposals during 2013. This means that they can come into effect at the next licensing period, starting 1^st January 2014. The committee proposes that at review of the digital radio market should be done by the end of 2016 to assess whether it is possible to decide on a specific date when existing FM network should be closed down.