News

The UK government has published a consultation regarding the implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code, confirming it will implement the Article 113, which requires Member States to mandate the installation of digital radio connectivity in all new car vehicles. In the longer term, the UK government will also consider extending this requirement to commercial vehicles and to mandate for the installation of digital connectivity in all domestic radios.

Digi B Network, Malta's DAB+ operator, will be upgrading its distribution network with the provisioning of new Liquid cooled transmitters. Liquid cooling allows the devices to operate at higher power whilst reducing the thermal stress. This increases the devices' lifetime and reliabity in the process, resulting in higher power leading to a substantial improvment in coverage.

Analogue transmitters in Switzerland may be deactivated as early as 2022, as the country is set to become the second country in Europe, after Norway, to switch off the FM in favour of DAB+ radio.

A number of new DAB+ radio stations are launching in Sweden as the development of digital radio in the Nordic countries continues. Swedish Radio operates a multiplex covering 42% of the population in the capital of Stockholm as well as in Södertälje, Uppsala, Gothenburg, Malmö and Luleå. Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT) also has a multiplex in operation covering Stockholm, Uppsala, Gävle. This multiplex will be expanded in to Gothenburg and Malmö this year, at which point it will cover 43% of the population

Over 3.7 million people listen to DAB+ radio per day in Germany, according to the latest figures revealed by MA's audio market report.This marks the first time the report includes separate figures for DAB+ listening, highlighting yet again the growing popularity of DAB+ in Germany.

Frontier Smart Technologies, a world-leading provider of consumer Digital Radio technology, reveals that it has shipped over 50 million DAB and Smart Radio chips.The UK company offers a complete range of digital radio solutions – from low cost DAB chips and modules, through to automotive aftermarket software and its newest Smart Radio solution which combines DAB radio, FM radio, internet radio, on-demand music services and podcasts in a single solution.

A number of new DAB+ radio stations are launching in Sweden as the development of digital radio in the Nordic countries continues. Swedish Radio operates a multiplex covering 42% of the population in the capital of Stockholm as well as in Södertälje, Uppsala, Gothenburg, Malmö and Luleå. Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT) also has a multiplex in operation covering Stockholm, Uppsala, Gävle. This multiplex will be expanded in to Gothenburg and Malmö this year, at which point it will cover 43% of the population.

Poland is rapidly expanding DAB+ services across the country - in May 2019, the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) and Polish Electronic Communications Authority (UKE) announced the launch a call for tenders for seven regions across the country. A second call for tenders, expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2019, will also cover another eight sites. Polski Radio is also expected to increase its number of transmitters to 39 from 24, and help bring DAB+ to over 5 million people in Poland.

The Baden-Württemberg Communications Institute has submitted an application to initiate the procedure for the extension of the regional multiplex license in the southwestern state. The current license, which is due to end on 30 November 2020, is expected to be extended to 2026. Small-scale DAB+ trials are also set to take place in 2020 and beyond.

According to the general manager of Deutschlandradio Stefan Raue, the high costs and lengthy procedures associated with the development of 5G networks means the technology is not a viable solution for radio, and certainly not a viable alternative for DAB+. which is cost-effective, offers a high-quality listening experience, and is accessible to listeners free of charge.