Belgium - Current situation - History
10.07.2015
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian French speaking community, Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française de Belgique (RTBF) has operated one regional DAB multiplex (covering Brussels and Wallonia) since 1998, simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radio stations. RTBF is also testing three DAB+ audio (in different bit rates and with slideshows) and one data channel, on the same multiplex, for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the private broadcasters, subject to approval from the French Community Government and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA).
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, online single radioplayer, hybrid radio and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio in DAB+.
The CSA launched a public consultation about digital radio in DAB+ in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback. In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June 2012 the Government authorized RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licenced by the CSA.
The next step is to achieve a funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technical DAB+ rollout, upgrade of the current RTBF DAB network to DAB+ to ensure indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for a potential public launch in 2017. RTBF is also testing Radio DNS interactive slideshows on its DAB+ channels.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with nine radio stations. Four of them are DAB exclusive: Nieuws+ (news), Sporza (sport), Klara Continuo (classic music) and MNM Hits (Top 40). On top of the nine DAB audio channels, there is a data channel with T-PEG. VRT is also testing one DAB+ audio channel (in different bit rates and with MOT slideshows), on the same multiplex. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex.
Norkring België also has the license for operating a commercial DAB multiplex in Flanders and Brussels. Based on this license Norkring launched on May 20th, 2015 a second layer in DAB+ in Brussels and the surrounding area with 7 commercial radio stations. In August 2015 an additional eighth channel will be added. This is the first step in a community-wide deployment of DAB+ in Flanders and Brussels, expected in 2017. A dedicated digital radio website was launched in May 2015 for promotion and information on DAB and DAB+ in Flanders and Brussels (www.digitalradio.vlaanderen).
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplexes cover the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content.
29.01.2015
In Spring 2015, DAB+ will be available in Brussels and its surroundings, as a first step to a coverage throughout Flanders. Initially the stations launching in these areas will be Top Radio, VBRO Radio, Radio Maria, Radio FG and Radiostad and Family Radio bringing a total of 16 DAB channels on air. More information is available here.
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian French speaking community, Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française de Belgique (RTBF) has operated one DAB multiplex since 1998, simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radio stations, covering Brussels and Wallonia. RTBF is also testing four DAB+ audio and data channels (in different bit rates and with slideshows) on the same multiplex, for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the private broadcasters, subject to approval from the French Community Government and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA).
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed in spring 2011 on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, hybrid radio, online radio player and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio from 2011 onwards.
The CSA launched a public consultation about digital radio in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback. In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June 2012 the Government authorized RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licenced by the CSA.
The next step is to achieve a public funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technical DAB+ rollout, upgrade of the RTBF DAB network to DAB+ to ensure deep indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for a potential public launch in 2015 (to mark the 101st anniversary of the first radio broadcasting in Belgium). RTBF is testing Radio DNS interactive slideshows on its DAB+ channels.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
De Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT) is the public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community. VRT has one DAB multiplex in operation with nine radio stations including four DAB only brand extensions. The stations on air include Nieuws+ (news), Sporza (sport), Klara Continuo (classic music) and MNM Hits (Top 40). Norkring, which operates VRT’s multiplex, also has a licence for another multiplex and is currently examining the possibility of a progressive deployment in 2014, with the Brussels DAB+ roll-out in the first phase.
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplex covers the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content. Their first client is Toyota Belgium.
29.09.2014
French speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
The public broadcaster for the Belgian French speaking community, Radio Télévision belge de la Communauté française de Belgique (RTBF) has operated one DAB multiplex since 1998, simulcasting its five FM radio stations and two BRF (the Belgian German speaking public broadcaster) FM radio stations, covering Brussels and Wallonia. RTBF is also testing four DAB+ audio and data channels (indifferent bit rates and with slideshows) on the same multiplex, for itself and also for the private radio stations. The aim is to plan a roadmap for DAB+ in French speaking Belgium together with the private broadcasters, subject to approval from the French Community Government and the regulator, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA).
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed in spring 2011 on a four-tier strategy for migration from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via DAB+, hybrid radio, online radio player and radio on TV. In summer 2011 the Parliament of the French speaking Community adopted unanimously a resolution asking the French-speaking Government to support the migration to digital radio from 2011 onwards.
The CSA launched a public consultation about digital radio in autumn 2011 which provided positive feedback. In spring 2012, the CSA recommended to the Government a DAB+ rollout based mainly on two layers in Band III. In June 2012 the Government authorized RTBF to proceed with DAB+ trials for commercial and non-profit radio stations licenced by the CSA.
The next step is to achieve a public funding agreement to finance the investments needed for the technical DAB+ rollout, upgrade of the RTBF DAB network to DAB+ to ensure deep indoor coverage of Brussels and Wallonia, for a potential public launch in 2015 (to mark the 101st anniversary of the first radio broadcasting in Belgium). RTBF is testing Radio DNS interactive slideshows on its DAB+ channels.
Flemish speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)
De Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT) is the public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community. VRT has one DAB multiplex in operation with nine radio stations including four DAB only brand extensions. The stations on air include Nieuws+ (news), Sporza (sport), Klara Continuo (classic music) and MNM Hits (Top 40). Norkring, which operates VRT’s multiplex, also has a licence for another multiplex and is currently examining the possibility of a progressive deployment in 2014, with the Brussels DAB+ roll-out in the first phase.
Country wide
As VRT and RTBF’s multiplex covers the whole country’s main road networks, since 2012 they have been broadcasting data traffic information (via TPEG) on behalf of Be Mobile, a company specialised in the provision of traffic and mobility content. Their first client is Toyota Belgium.