Norway first country to ditch FM for DAB in 2017

Norway will become the first country in the world to dismantle its FM radio network in favour of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), announced the Norwegian ministry of culture.

FM transmitters will be closed down by 2017 as part of a complete digital overhaul.

Thorhild Widvey, Norway culture minister, said: “Radio digitisation will open the door to a far greater range of radio channels, benefiting listeners across the country. Listeners will have access to more diverse and pluralistic radio content, and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality.

“Digitisation will also greatly improve the emergency preparedness system, facilitate increased competition and offer new opportunities for innovation and development, whereas the FM system only had space for five national channels, DAB already offers 22, and there is capacity for almost 20 more.

“In addition, more than half the population already has access to local radio on DAB, and there is considerable potential for further local channels.”

The ministry claims that money saved from shutting down costly FM transmission will be used to invest into improving the network and content upon the digital transition.

According to Ed Vaizey, the UK minister of culture said a UK SAB switchover was a while off.