Population:	45.0 million
Coverage:	52%
Services:	29 DAB, 5 Data

Last update: 20-01-2008

Spain first began broadcasting digital radio in April 1998 covering Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. There have also been trial services in the Basque country and Catalunya. The Spanish DAB Association (Asociación Foro de la Radio Digital), comprising both private and national broadcasters, is responsible for DAB in Spain. However, the situation in Spain is at a standstill, as the major radio groups remain unsure due to the perceived threat to their markets. There is little marketing of the technology and therefore little progress has been made in the market recently. There are, however, a few new DAB broadcasters who are pushing DAB in Spain and the hope is that continued pressure will help move the market forward.

Currently about 52% of the population have access to DAB services. Coverage is expected to rise to 80% by 2011.

In this country there are

• National multiplexes: 3 Regular
• Regional multiplexes: 2 Regular and 1 Trial

A total of 29 DAB audio services are on air.

There are a small number of electrical retailers selling DAB digital radios.

There were various trials of DMB in Barcelona in 2007 and 2008 for the 3GSM exhibition and show. Future plans for further trials are ongoing.

National station licences are issued by the central government, while local and regional licences are the responsibility of the regional government. Licences are valid for ten years with an automatic renewal for a further ten years and operators must commit to the promotion of DAB Digital Radio. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules, which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.