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The Communications Authority of Kenya is seeking public views on three key regulatory initiatives meant to spur the growth of the ICT sector, including digital radio licensing. The Authority says "having developed a Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) framework to guide the introduction of digital radio broadcasting services in Kenya, the Authority has developed the corresponding licence templates for the DSB infrastructure and services in readiness for the implementation of the DSB licensing framework in the 2025/26 financial year." The Authority is seeking stakeholder comments on 10 proposed licence categories under the DSB framework, with a deadline for submission of input set for 17 January 2025.

The Swiss appear to have swiftly adapted to their state broadcaster’s decision to transmit exclusively on digital platforms. On New Year’s Eve, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) turned off connections to its analog FM transmitters at 11:59 p.m. As RedTech reported last year, Switzerland’s transition to digital-only radio broadcasting has been years in the making. Planning began about a decade ago when the Swiss Federal Office of Communications, private radio stations and SRG SSR collaborated to establish DAB+ as the new standard. Predictions of its success have largely been validated, solidifying digital platforms as the future of Swiss broadcasting. In 2020, Swiss radio stations were no longer obligated to broadcast on FM. Confronted with the high costs of maintaining three broadcasting technologies and shifting audience habits, SRG SSR’s board of directors opted to phase out FM transmission by 31 December 2024.

Following the recent award by the Ministry of Enterprise and Industry of the right to use local network no. 2 in catchment area no. 6 - Friuli Venezia Giulia, on DAB block 9D, Friuli Venezia Giulia DAB, the local network operator of the Aeranti-Corallo association system, has started its full-scale operations. In particular, the Col Gaiardin (PN) plant, with which trials had previously been carried out, was fully activated on DAB block 9D. The other site with which the trial was carried out, located in Conconello (TS), will be fully activated by the deadline (roadmap) set by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy.

The history of DAB+, or at that time only DAB, began 14 years ago when the first Teleko transmitters began broadcasts. After years, operators have finally managed to break free from the clutches of the past. Not only has the transition to Band III (formerly reserved for analogue television) been completed, but at the end of 2024, the operation of transmitters with limited coverage ended. In addition to Czech Radio, which has built its DAB+ network for 96% of the population with external coverage in recent years, commercial operators such as Teleko digital, RTI cz, Fiera touch, JOE Media and Czech Radio Communications, or its subsidiary Czech Digital Group (CDG), have now settled down. They will be joined in the coming months by other players such as Play.cz, Broadcast Services and GG Omikron.

Radio is increasingly listened to via digital reception modes. Analogue broadcasting methods, such as FM, which have been in operation since 1952, are a thing of the past. DAB+ is the new international standard that is taking over from FM. In Switzerland, over 99% of the population already receives DAB+. The change in technology has been underway for several years, and sales of DAB+ radios are booming in Switzerland. DAB+ is now the new standard; remaining FM usage is stagnating at under 10%. SRG SSR has therefore decided to stop broadcasting its radio programmes via obsolete FM antennas from 31 December 2024.

In Athens, on 19 December 2024, at the company's offices, the Board of Directors of ERT SA met at the invitation of the Managing Director to discuss Item 90: Approval of the necessity to purchase DAB+ digital terrestrial broadcasting transmitters for the creation of a network of DAB+ transmitters of ERT SA. The Board of Directors, having taken into account the recommendation of the General Director of Technology and Media Operations, unanimously decides and approves the necessity of the supply of 19 DAB+ radio transmitters for the implementation of the first phase of the creation of the DAB+ radio transmitter network of ERT. The decision was published on the Government transparency website: diavgeia.gov.gr

On New Year's Eve afternoon, RTI cz, a Pilsen-based company, announced the launch of the first nationwide network for digital broadcasting of commercial radio in the DAB+ standard in the Czech Republic. According to Office Manager Andrea Jančová, the operator put nine new multiplex C transmitters into operation during the day and achieved coverage of 69.26 percent of the Czech population. RTI cz has thus met the development criteria set by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). "In total, RTI cz has launched 23 transmitters, and in the first months of the new year it will boost coverage from the transmitters in Prague - City Tower, Benešov - Kochánov and Mariánské Lázně - Dyleň," said Jančová.

Bournemouth-based commercial radio station Bournemouth One has joined the Arqiva Bournemouth DAB multiplex giving it coverage across Dorset. The station, which launched on New Year’s Day 2024, is looking forward to welcoming even more listeners around the area, as co-founder Sophie Greenwood told RadioToday: “Our first 12 months online has been so much fun, and so valuable in helping us welcome many loyal listeners, partners and advertisers to Bournemouth One.” Co-founder and CEO Roy Martin (owner of RadioToday) adds: “Our listeners have been asking for us to be on the actual radio ever since they discovered us online, so this is our birthday present to them.”

At the turn of the year, local radio in the Allgäu will be switched off via FM. This affects RSA Radio in particular, which will cease broadcasting after almost 40 years. The decision was made due to falling advertising revenues, rising costs and increasing requirements from the state media centres. The first six FM transmitter sites were already switched off at the end of October, and the final shutdown will follow on 31 December. From January 2025, local radio in the Allgäu will only be broadcast via DAB+ and the internet. The Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) has launched a digitalisation campaign to make the population aware of the remaining offerings via DAB+.

Mediahuis is changing the range of thematic channels on DAB+ from Monday 6 January. On channel 9C, Sunlite will make way for Veronica Goud van Oud, while on 7D (MTVNL) Vintage Veronica will be replaced by Veronica Non-stop. Veronica Goud van Oud is a spin-off of the radio programme of the same name, which can be heard on Radio Veronica every working day from 10am to 12pm.