News

Following the launches in Lyon and Strasbourg, DAB+ has reached the 20% population coverage in France, the threshold needed to trigger the law requiring all receivers to integrate DAB+.

Following the expansion of the DAB+ broadcasting networks in Sulden and Pfelders, 99.6% of the Alto Adige population is served by 22 digital radio stations, while 95% of the population has access to 35 DAB+ stations.The RAS has also announced the shutdown of 22 low-power FM transmitters in the region.

The NDR continues to drive forward the expansion of its DAB+ broadcasting network with the Lüneburg, Stralsund and Greifswald locations scheduled to go into operation in December. More regions set to follow in 2019 and 2020.

The official launch ceremonies are to take place in Lyon and Strasbourg on 12 and 19 December respectively. At the latter, CSA President Nicolas Curien will announce the 20% threshold needed to trigger the law requiring manufacturers to equip receivers with DAB has been achieved.

Aimed at technology enthusiasts, the campaign is featured on social media networks including Facebook and Instagram, and has its own dedicated website - dobadabova.cz.

After Paris, Marseille, Nice and Lille, Mulhouse and the wider Alsace region are now serviced by DAB+. 25 radio stations, many of which are new and did not exist on the FM band, are now available in the eastern city of Mulhouse.

The roll-out of DAB+ has made significant headway in Europe in recent weeks, between the EU's approval of a new directive requiring all new cars sold in the EU to be equipped with digital terrestrial capabilities, the successful launches of DAB+ in Lyon and Strasbourg, and the expansion of the small-scale multiplex in Glasgow.

The launches of DAB+ in Strasbourg and Lyon are expected to help reach 20% population coverage in France, the threshold needed to trigger a law requiring French manufacturers to include a DAB+ chip in their equipment within 18 months. According to the CSA, 70% of the population will be covered by DAB+ by 2020 as DAB+ continues to be rolled out across major cities in France.

Croatia is going into its second year of trials with DAB+ with an extended number of radio stations participating. The council also extended the deadline for the call for expression of interest in DAB+ to December 14, 2018.

The Rundfunkanstalt Südtirol further expands its DAB+ network in South Tyrol as transmitters in Sulden and Pfelders are put into operation. 35 digital radio programs are now available to 95 percent of the South Tyrol population, as the RAS continues to switch off FM transmitters and expand its digital network.