Population:	59.0 million
Coverage:	75%
Services:	74 DAB, 17 DAB+, 10 Data, 1 DMB

Last update: 19-01-2008

After several years of test and trials, digital radio development in Italy is now happening very fast.  Late in 2009, the Council for the Authority of Communications approved regulation setting out steps for the future roll out of digital radio across Italy.  Broadcasters can opt for either DAB, DAB+ or DMB and the regulation allows for the migration of services from analogue to digital.  It provides clear regulation on coverage, networks for national services, spectrum allocation for services, local coverage and rules on simulcasting and new content.

There will be one national network for the public broadcaster, RAI, and two national networks for commercial radio.  Space will be available for local radio stations and the network  operator will be given additional capacity to provide data services.

Around 75% of Italy's population can currently receive digital radio broadcasts via several trial multiplexes currently on air.  A joint project between the commercial and public radio stations Club DAB Italia, EuroDAB and Raiway plans the launch of pilot services covering Rome, Torino, Naples and Cagliari in late 2010.  The project will be extended to cover 50% of the population by 2012 following the switch off of analogue TV and focus on major urban areas and motorways.

There are currently 13 multiplexes on air in Italy with a mix of national and regional coverage.  Between them, they deliver more than 100 services, with around half being digital only. 

Coverage of the trial broadcasts is estimated to be around 75% of the Italian population (i.e. people in reach of DAB/DMB transmissions for outdoor coverage).

In this country there are

• National multiplexes: 3 Trial
• Regional multiplexes: 2 Regular and 8 Trial

Trials in Italy have included: 

• July 2007 - Club DAB Italia launched the first DAB+ trials in Italy, broadcasting five audio channels.
• June 2007 - Vatican Radio carried out a DAB trial in the Pope’s State.
• 2007 - A DMB trial by public broadcaster RAIway
• 2005 - RTL 102.5 became the first European radio station to broadcast using DMB technology.

The Italian Media Authority has approved official regulations for Eureka 147 digital radio, bringing an experimental phase to an end and paving the way for the creation of a successful digital radio market. Licences and authorisations will be issued initially to existing FM licence holders, with remaining spectrum available for new entrants. National and local multiplexes must carry at least five radio stations each, offering a wide choice of programmes and services. The licence period for content providers is 12 years and for network operators 20 years.