Country Information for DAB, DAB+ and DMB - Switzerland
| Current situation | Coverage | Services on Air | Receiver Market | Details of Trials | Regulation | Links |
Country Update from Switzerland
10-06-2009
On 13th October 2008, SRG SSR idée suisse, launched its fourth multiplex in Grisons (the Eastern part of Switzerland) with 13 programmes on DAB+, two of which are simulcast on DAB on the same multiplex. 27 new transmitters were set up for that purpose to cover the area. The launch of this fourth multiplex brought the total number of DAB services on air in Switzerland to 35, and the number of DAB+ services to 13 (amounting to 19 different brands on 4 multiplexes). SRG is now planning to start moving part of the existing DAB services to DAB+, beginning at the end of 2009. This migration process to DAB+ should be completed between 2012 and 2015, by which time only a select number of services will still be broadcast on DAB for the benefit of the early DAB adopters. DAB coverage in Switzerland reached over 90% of the population at the end 2008, and it now only remains for the Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse to fill the last small gaps and provide coverage in the major tunnels. 120'000 receivers were sold in 2008 alone, which is six times as many as in 2007.
Latest News from Switzerland
Swiss Christian Channel promotes DAB+ (10-06-2009)
Life Channel, a Swiss Christian radio station, is among the first non-public radio station to actively promote the upcoming commercial DAB+ network on its websiteRead more...
Current situation
in Switzerland
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Last update: 08-03-2010
- older versions
| Population: | 7.5 million |
Coverage: | |
| Services: | 30 DAB, 39 DAB+ |
| Sales (accumulated): | 450,000 devices |
Penetration by household: | |
Penetration by population: |
Swiss digital radio on DAB or DAB+ now covers over 90% of the population.
The latest survey conducted by the Swiss research company Mediapulse in early 2010 indicated that a total of about 450,000 receivers had been sold, which means that more than every 10th household now listens to digital radio.
There are currently 63 DAB or DAB+ services on air (incorporating 26 different brands on 5 multiplexes).
The original 4 multiplexes are run by the public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse, and the first commercial DAB+ multiplex was launched on October 13th 2009 with seven commercial digital-only and 4 public radio stations in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
Coverage
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Last update: 08-12-2009
- older versions
Digital radio on DAB or DAB+ in Switzerland reaches over 90% of the population. The Swiss public broadcaster, SRG SSR idee suisse, has now started filling the last white spots on the DAB coverage map, most of which are in remote or sparsely populated areas. The most recent region to receive DAB reception is the Grisons in the East of Switzerland.
Services on Air
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Last update: 14-10-2008
- older versions
In this country there are
- Regional multiplexes: 5 Regular
There are 19 different brands on air, all of them by the public broadcaster SRG SSR idee suisse (one in cooperation with the BBC).
- 12 programmes on DAB in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (6 DAB only, 1 AM simulcast and 5 FM simulcast)
- 11 programmes on DAB in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (5 DAB only, 1 AM simulcast and 5 FM simulcast)
- 10 programmes on DAB in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland (7 DAB only, 3 FM simulcast)
- 13 programmes on DAB+ and 2 on DAB in the Romansh-speaking part of Switzerland
Commercial radio and media companies are expected to launch their first DAB+ multiplex in the German-speaking part of Switzerland in 2009. The Swiss Authorities granted them eight licences for new, DAB-only commercial radio channels on 6th July 2007. A further eight applicants did not receive a licence but may broadcast their channels licence-free, provided they can rent a space on the multiplex from the network providers.
| Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAB programmes | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| DAB+ programmes | 10 | 29 | 39 |
| Total | 20 | 49 | 69 |
Receiver Market
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Last update: 08-03-2010
- older versions
All specialist radio and TV retailers as well as the major chains now sell DAB+ receivers in Switzerland, and there is a huge choice of different receivers in the market. A survey regularly conducted by the Swiss research company Mediapulse suggests that by early 2010, a total of 450,000 receivers have been sold.
Details of Trials
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Last update: 08-09-2008
- older versions
DAB+ local trials took place in Berne and Zurich in November and December 2007.
A DMB trial has also been on-air through the MIFRIENDS project.
Regulation
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Last update: 08-12-2009
- older versions
The SRG licence includes the operation of a DAB multiplex and transmission network in Band III. The transmitter sites are operated by Swisscom Broadcast, but SRG is responsible for the planning of the network, signal generating and multiplexing.
Commercial radio and media companies in the German part of Switzerland were granted 8 licences in summer 2007.
SwissMediaCast AG was granted a licence to broadcast on Channel 7D by Swiss Ofcom (the regulator). SMC AG is now running the first commercial DAB+ multiplex in German-speaking Switzerland.
The Swiss Ofcom has also opened a call for tender for eight commercial programme licences in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
Useful Links Top
http://www.dab-digitalradio.ch