News

The all-new Partner is available with DAB radio.

Over 40 radio stations in and around the wider Lyon area are already broadcasting on DAB+, which provides a higher sound quality and a wider choice of stations. Once population coverage in France reaches 20%, radio manufacturers will have the obligation to integrate this technology in their receivers.

The decision, formally signed by both the European Parliament and the European Council, will be published on 17 December and come into force three days later.

DAB+ has officially launched in Lyon following earlier launches in Paris Marseille, Nice and Lille. Speaking at the official launch in Lyon, Alain Liberty, president of the union of independent radios, highlighted this as being "the most important change in the radio industry since the launch of the FM band".

We take a look at the latest developments that have helped drive the significant progress of DAB+ in the car in recent weeks, and what we can expect to see in coming months, including the new European legislation, manufacturers and broadcasters coming together in support of digital radio, and recognition of DAB+ as the core industry standard for digital radio.

The creation of a working group analysing the development of digital radio in Spain, brought forward by Valencian political party Compromís, is expected to be debated by the Spanish Senate Industry Committee on Monday 17 December.

Supporting the expansion of digital radio - while urging the Government to confirm that small commercial radio stations will be given a choice of when to stop broadcasting on FM -featured as part of the key recommendations in the report produced by the APPG on Commercial Radio.

Cagliari's university radio is now available on DAB+ following an agreement with the DigitalRadio Group consortium, marking the first time a university radio in Italy broadcasts on DAB+.

22 FM stations are being shut down in no fewer than seven locations across South Tyrol, a region in which DAB+ has already surpassed FM, with DAB+ population coverage standing at 99.6%.

Radio listeners in France are encouraged to acquire a DAB+ radio as the country continues its transition toward digital radio standards.70% of the population of France is expected to be covered with DAB+ in the next three years.