Local DAB Network Established in Østfold, Norway
19.03.2014
- Norway 
300,000 people in Østfold will receive a significantly expanded radio offer from September as Digitalradio Norge establishes new local networks.
Between 10 to 15 local radio stations are already interested in the new network which has capacity for 20 new channels. ‘It is very positive that so many stations want to broadcast locally on DAB. I must say the amount of interest to broadcast locally is surprisingly as it will be over half a year before the network is ready’ says Ole Jørgen Torvmark, General Manager at Digitalradio Norge. Digitalradio Norge is owned by Norwegian P4 and NRK, and are working on the implementation of the technology shift for Norwegian radio.
DAB network number four
The local DAB Østfold network will consist of transmitters in Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, Moss and Halden, and broadcast channels not yet on the national DAB network. The network will cover around 300,000 people, as well as provide good coverage along the major roads.
‘We have now established the fourth local DAB network in Norway. It is especially good that is it is in Østfold’ says Torvmark who himself started the radiocareer in the Østfold-town Halden.
Local DAB networks have already been established in Oslo / Akershus, Hedmark and Haugesund / Stavanger. The Østfold network will provide overlapping coverage with the network in Oslo and Akershus. This means that a total of 1.5 million will be able to receive local radio via DAB in the eastern area with this new network.
Channels will advertise themselves
‘We cannot yet say anything about which channels are on the air in Østfold as many of the channels want promote themselves, says Torvmark. The new channels will also be added to the existing channels broadcast on the national network. People in Østfold, in other words, will be able to tune into between 30 and 40 channels on the radio. There is room for more channels when radio is broadcasted digitally. Today there are 22 national channels that are broadcast via DAB, whereas the FM network only has five channels on the national network.
Norway is in the process of reorganising the distribution of radio where DAB is the future of radio technology. Parliament has adopted a technology shift whereby FM networks shall be shut off, possibly as early as 2017.
Source: Digitalradio Norge