Italy

Last update: 06.09.2024 - older versions

The Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy published an overview of the transition to DAB+ digital radio and the change in the Italian radio landscape in September 2024.

DAB+: Digital Radio Revolution and the Role of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy: An Italian Perspective

 

In June 2023, the Ministry of Enterprise and Industry - Directorate-General for Electronic Communication, Broadcasting and Postal Services (DGSCERP), launched a procedure for the assignment to network operators of rights of use of frequencies for the terrestrial digital radio broadcasting service, referred to in the NAPF-DAB, relating to the catchment areas No 8 Emilia Romagna - No 11 Marche - No 12 Lazio - No 20 Sardinia. It has since indicated that it expects to tender for further regions at the end of August 2023 (Piedmont; Valle d'Aosta; Lombardy; Liguria; Tuscany; Umbria; Campania; Sicily.)

In April 2023, the adoption of Resolution no. 286/22/CONS of AGCOM approved the "Provisional National Plan for the Allocation of Frequencies in the VHF band - III for the DAB+ Digital Audio Broadcasting Service (PNAF-DAB)", thus allowing the Ministry to proceed with the granting of the rights of use on the networks planned by AGCOM. The Ministry has published the summary of the national public consultation, carried out on the version of the guidelines published on 13.12.2022, with the Ministry's evaluations and the final text of the guidelines relating to the criteria and methods that will be adopted to proceed with the assignment of rights of use to local network operators for the terrestrial digital radio broadcasting service.

Press release: Guidelines on selection procedures

 

DAB frequency plan approved

In July 2022, the Italian communications regulator, AGCOM, approved the provisional national plan for the allocation of frequencies in the VHF-III band for DAB+ (PNAF-DAB).

PNAF-DAB plans frequencies for the following DAB+ networks:

- 3 national networks with isofrequency structure for macro-area broadcast;

- 54 local networks with regional coverage, of which 27 can be broken down into sub-regions;

- 36 local networks with multi-provincial or provincial coverage.

AGCOM noted: "This plan is classified as provisional as it remains formally open, under the coordination of the MISE [Ministry of Economic Development] an international negotiating table for the planning of frequencies along the Adriatic basin..."

Provisional national plan for the allocation of frequencies in the VHF-III band for the DAB + digital sound broadcasting service (PNAF-DAB)

 

Digital radio required in all receivers from January 2020

Starting from January 2020, Italian law requires all radio receivers sold in Italy to have digital capability: http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/12/29/17G00222/sg

Italian public and private DAB+ network operators - namely Radio Rai, EuroDab Italy and DAB Italia - have expanded their respective DAB+ broadcast networks in anticipation of the law requiring all radio receivers sold to the public to digital radio capabilities.

The Italian Government has committed to a road map for DAB+ development, a key part of this will be a plan for coordinated frequency planning. 

In September 2019, Italy's Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli expressed his commitment to DAB+ and the radio industry's transition to digital radio, highlighting his plan to increase the number of DAB+ frequencies available.

Last update: 07.06.2023 - older versions

Current Coverage

The combined coverage of the regular and trial broadcasts is estimated to be around 88% of the Italian population (i .e. people in reach of DAB+ transmissions for outdoor coverage). 

Services on Air in Italy

At the end of 2018, across South Tyrol 13 transmission sites in FM were turned off.

22 programmes can still be listened to on FM  through distant locations, even if with a slight quality reduction.

RAS will no longer be investing in FM due to the high cost associated with it:

  • FM distribution network:  212 transmission sites broadcasting 3 programmes
  • DAB+ distribution network: 92 transmission sites for 22 programmes to cover 99,6% of population.

National Multiplexes

1. Rai (public broadcaster)

RaiWay's 18 transmission sites account for coverage of 43% of the population (Rome, Aosta, Turin, Milan, Trento, Bolzano, Venice, Bologna, Naples, Oristano, and Palermo). €6m was allocated for extension of coverage with the activation of 60 new transmission sites by the end of 2015. In August 2014, Rai launched three new digital programs on DAB+: Webradio Radio Rai WR6, WR7, WR8. These 3 programs were added to the 7 already on-air: RAI 1, RAI-2, RAI-3, FD4, FD5, Isoradio and GRparlamento. RAI has a local multiplex (4 sites) for Trentino including the local versions of Radio Uno, Radio Due and RAI Südtirol. So 14 sites transmit the Italian-wide DAB version, and 4 the local TAA mux (= in total 18).

2. DAB Italia

With approximately 165 transmission sites on-air, DAB Italia is offering the largest continuity of DAB+ signal from the north to the south of the Italian peninsula. Stations on-air include 8 simulcast FM programmes: Radio DeeJay, M2O, R 101, Radio 24, Radio Capital, Radio Maria, Radio Radicale, RDS (Radio Dimensione Suono) plus 11 programmes available exclusively on DAB+: Deejay 30 Songs, Capital Funky, RDS Relax, Radio Maria Albania (in Albanian), m2o Dance, Kc1 Test, Kc2 Test, Kc3 Test, Radio 105DAB, Radio24 Il Sole 24 Ore+, RR News. In total 19 programmes are receivable from the Austrian border down to the South, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, on approximately 6,500 Km of main roads of Italy.

3. EURODAB ITALIA

The EuroDab Italia multiplex covers approximately 87% of the population with over 160 broadcast sites. On-air programmes include 10 simulcast FM programmes: #RTL 102.5, #Radiofreccia, #Radio Zeta, Virgin Radio, 105, RMC, Radio Italia SMI, Radio KissKiss, RVaticana Ita +, inBlu 2000 and 10 programmes broadcast exclusively on DAB+: #RTL 102.5 Best, #RTL 102.5 News, #RTL 102.5 Bro & Sis, #RTL 102.5 Romeo & Juliet, #RTL 102.5 Napulè, #RTL 102.5 Doc, RadioItaliaTrend, Radio Freedom, Subasio XL, BBC WorldService. http://www.eurodabitalia.it

 

Local Multiplexes

DBTAA – Trentino Alto Adige Area – Band III, 10A

Programs: Radio Anaunia, Radio Digi-One, Radio Gamma, Radio Italia Anna 60, Radio NBC, Radio Primierortt La Radio, Sudtirol 1, Radio Tirol, Trentino In Blu Radio. 

Digiloc – Trentino Alto Adige Area – Band III, 12D

Programs: Bella Radio, DELTARETE5, Radio Birkina, Radio Margherita, Radio Number One, Radio Pace, Radio Sound 95, Radio Studio Piu, Radio Valbelluna, Radio Viva.

Rundfunk-Anstalt Sudtirol (RAS) – Trentino Alto Adige Area – Block 10B and 10D

RAS approved the installation (March 2013) of a further 13 transmitters during 2014 and 2015. RAS currently has 28 transmitter sites in Alto-Adige and 2 in Trentino in operation.

DAB Media – Trentino Alto Adige Area

The consortium of local radio stations in Bolzano won the award by the Ministry of Block 10C in Band III and may switch to DAB+ in areas already covered such as Bolzano and cover with 6 new plants the whole province: Penegal (city of Bolzano), Val Venosta, Mutta (area of Merano) Plosehütte (Brixen) Freienfeld (area of Vipiteno) and Plan de Corones, reaching more than 80% of the population.

CR DAB – Rome Area – Band III, 13F

Programs: Radio Radio, Kiss Kiss Italia, Dimensione Suono Roma, Dimensione Suono 2, Ram Power, Radio Subasio, Radio Suby, Radio Subasio +, Tele Radio Stereo, Tele Radio Stereo 2 RMC2, Studio 93.

Vatican Radio – Rome Area – began services in July 2007 on frequency block 7B and is broadcast by Castel Gandolfo and S.M.Di Galeria Services.

Further information on local multiplexes on air in Italy is available at https://digitalradio.it/operatori-locali/.

Test of services on air in Italy

Click the links below to see the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) reports including RAI WAY's tests on its DAB+ services in Italy

 

Last update: 11.03.2022 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

Please note:

(a)    These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b)    The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

In Italy, there are three regular national (2 commercial and one public) and 39 regular local multiplexes on air. In total there are 51 DAB+ national stations total, 20 simulcast on FM and 31 DAB+ stations available exclusively on DAB+, plus nearly 400 local stations simulcast on FM. All of them (national and local) are data services. In addition, 2 TPEG networks are on air, provided by InfoBlu (EuroDAB Italia and RaiWay multiplexes).

National

Prior to the launch of digital radio in Italy, there were just 21 national radio stations available on FM. Following the launch of DAB+ there are now 51 national radio stations available on DAB+.

20 of the national stations are simulcasts of FM stations and 31 are stations available exclusively on DAB+.

Local

As of January 2022, there were 39 local multiplexes on-air (nearly 400 local services on DAB+).

 

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 116 21 137
Data services 0 7 7
Total11628144

Last update: 23.02.2022 - older versions

In Italy, 100% of new cars sold are factory-fitted with DAB+.

Italy was the first country to introduce regulation mandating all new receivers (consumer and automotive) to include DAB+ from January 2020.

New vehicles produced before January 2020, which were not factory-fitted with a DAB+ receiver could only be sold up to 21 December 2020.

Last update: 30.11.2021 - older versions

Budget law 2018-2020 (all radios sold from 2020 to be digitally capable)

An Official announcement has been published in Italian law requiring all radio receivers to have digital capability from 1 Jan 2020: http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/12/29/17G00222/sg.

For more information on this legislation see the WorldDAB EECC Factsheet

 

Last update: 18.04.2018 - older versions

Several trials have taken place in Italy over recent years.  

Last update: 01.09.2020 - older versions

Starting from January 2020, Italian law requires all radio receivers sold in Italy to have digital capability: http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/12/29/17G00222/sg

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Italy:

  • Band III
  • DAB+ licences are usually issued to existing FM licence holders
  • National and local multiplexes must carry at least 7 stations each
  • The licence period for content providers is 12 years and 20 for network operators
  • City state Vatican in Rome is transmitting in both Band III and L-Band
  • DAB+ network build out is focused on highways to ensure uninterrupted reception

The Ministry of Economic Development has started the procedure to assign the frequency blocks for local and national (commercial and public) digital radio services for the regions of Valle D’Aosta and Umbria, for Torino and Cuneo provinces, in Piedmont. This procedure closed on 20 June 2015 (www.digitalradio.it/blog/la-digitalradio-corre-veloce/).

In 2009 AGCOM (Italian Communications Authority) approved regulation which set out steps for the roll out of digital radio across Italy. Broadcasters can opt for 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.

The regulation specified one national network for the public broadcaster RAI, and two national networks for commercial radio. Space was made available for local radio stations and the network operator was given additional capacity to provide data services. 

Licences are issued initially to existing FM licence holders, with remaining spectrum available for new entrants. Each radio station has the right to use 72 CUs of a multiplex for its programmes. The licence period for content providers is 12 years and for network operators is 20 years.

FM Switch off in South Tyrol

In the Italian region of South Tyrol, network operator RAS started switching off FM services in December 2017. Since 2008 RAS has been transmitting digital radio stations in both DAB and DAB+ standards. Now, 20 years after the birth of digital radio transmission, RAS will completely switch to the transmission in DAB+. This switchover is due to government requirement. At this time RAS is transmitting 13 digital radio stations accoording to DAB+ and another nine stations using the older DAB standard (RAI Südtirol, Bayern 3, BR Klassik, B5 aktuell, Ö1, ORF Radio Tirol, Ö3, FM4, Swiss Jazz). Those 9 stations from january 31st on will be sent according to DAB+ only.

Last update: 02.03.2022 - older versions

Campaigns

Heavyweight industry-funded marketing campaigns across a variety of media platforms to promote digital radio have been running in Italy since 2013. Radio campaigns promote DAB+ digital radio across all national and local commercial FM networks. National broadcasters do cross-promotion of digital radio via www.digitalradio.it and daily and periodical press as well as social media channels including facebook, twitter and soundcloud.

2014: I discover digitalradio
2015: I learn digital radio
2016: I use digital radio…and you?
2017/2018: discover the magic of digital radio DAB+ in your car! DIBIDIDOBIDI DAB!
2019/2020: focused on letting drivers know that from 2020 onwards all new cars are sold equipped with DAB+ as standard
2021: three original rap songs that highlight the advantages of DAB+ digital radio

All the marketing campaigns are based on radio spots set in the car as 80% of radio listening is in-car in Italy. The campaigns are broadcast by all private national radio stations and local radio stations. With more than 1,000 spots the campaigns have reached 30 million radio listeners in Italy per day. All spots can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/digitalradioit

 

Company gadgets

Offers and Promotions in the automotive sector 

An Italian advertisment for Nissan, featuring digital radio, from the daily newspaper “la Repubblica”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutschlandfunk on DAB+ in South Tyrol for RAS's 50th anniversary
30.06.2025 - Deutschlandradio WorldDAB Member - Italy Italy
Founded on 13 February 1975, RAS has been providing the German and Ladin-speaking community with radio and television programmes from abroad for half a century. At a celebration on Friday, 27 June 2025, at the Kronplatz transmitter site, representatives from politics, media and technology paid tribute to the unique RAS model. RAS currently broadcasts 38 radio and 22 television programmes, including 19 radio and 14 television programmes from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as numerous local programmes. Since 27 June, RAS has been broadcasting Deutschlandradio's Deutschlandfunk programme as an additional radio station via DAB+. The state government made the decision on Tuesday, 24 June.

(Rundfunkanstalt Südtirol) Read more


MIMIT calls for tenders for national network operator to broadcast Vatican Radio on DAB+
19.06.2025 - Italy Italy
On 16/06/2025, the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy published a notice regarding a tender to select a network operator holding a national digital radio broadcasting licence that would make available the transmission capacity on a DAB+ multiplex with a coverage of not less than 70% of the population. The contract, with a duration of up to 19 years, will be awarded at the lowest price, with a deadline for applications set for 23 July 2025. The tender also represents an important benchmark for the economic and technical value of DAB+ transmission capacity in the Italian market.

(NL NewsLinet) Read more


Q8 Radio is born on DAB+ in 38 Italian cities
11.06.2025 - Italy Italy
2 June saw the official launch of Q8 Radio, the new digital radio station from Q8, designed to accompany Italians in their daily lives, whether they are travelling or at other times of the day. Available on DAB+ in 38 cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Florence, Bari, Palermo and Cagliari, Q8 Radio was created with the aim of being a constant, engaging and useful presence during the daily commute. The birth of Q8 Radio, in fact, is part of a context of great vitality for the radio medium: DAB+ technology, also chosen by Q8, is destined to grow steadily in the coming years, thanks to its superior audio quality compared to FM, signal stability and integration of visual content.

(Q8) Read more


Agcom urges update to in-car DAB+ receiver rules
09.06.2025 - Italy Italy
According to Aeranti-Corallo, the association representing Italy’s local broadcasters, the country’s communications regulator, Agcom, has called on the government to revise current legislation requiring digital radio receivers in new vehicles. Agcom warns that recent changes in automotive infotainment design are undermining the rollout of DAB+. The regulator issued a formal advisory (Resolution No. 316/24/CONS) following a market investigation into the development of terrestrial digital radio. The advisory highlights a growing loophole in the 2020 law mandating the inclusion of DAB+ receivers in vehicles equipped with traditional car radios.

(RedTech) Read more


Radio Bianconera on DAB+ in Piedmont
08.06.2025 - Italy Italy
Radio Bianconera has been connected on DAB+ in Piedmont. The broadcaster that follows Juventus, with various specialist programmes, now extends its ways of being heard. Already present in streaming via website and app, as well as in a visual version also via Samsung TV Plus, it is now present over the air in Turin and a good part of the region. It is broadcast via CR Dab Piemonte on channel 10B.

(FM-world) Read more


Radio Firenze Viola broadcasting on DAB in Tuscany
05.06.2025 - Italy Italy
Exactly one year after its launch on digital TV channel 92, Radio Firenze Viola continues to grow and innovate, bringing its voice over the airwaves. Now, in fact, the broadcaster is available on DAB+ in most of Tuscany. A novelty that will allow all Fiorentina fans and loyal listeners to find RFV even in the latest generation of cars, simply by selecting the digital frequency from the vehicle's infotainment system. To tune in, simply access the digital radio list within the CR Dab Toscana mux. 'A natural step for a radio that, over time, has been able to build a lively, passionate and always up-to-date community on the events of Fiorentina and Italian football.

(FM-world) Read more


Italian DAB+ mux expands reach
03.06.2025 - Italy Italy
Until now, GoDAB's DAB+ package, which is based in Friuli in Italy, could only be heard via a small transmitter around Udine. Since mid-April, the transmitter network has been expanded to include three more locations - including one with a wide reach. The Faedis/Pedrosa-Prati della Chiesa site, which was activated on 29 May, is in a somewhat bigger league. It has a wide range and has also been used in the past to broadcast German holiday stations for the northern Adriatic on VHF. The Pedrosa site transmits the GoDAB package on channel 9B with 630 watts ERP. The final expansion of the GoDAB transmitter network will include a total of eleven sites in Friuli. All of these will be operated with low transmission power.

(Digital Fernsehen) Read more


Radio Ariston continues digital expansion in Liguria
30.05.2025 - Italy Italy
Radio Ariston continues to grow and brings its voice to Pietra Ligure as well. The Sanremo broadcaster is now also available in DAB+ on channel 6D in the renowned tourist resort overlooking the Ligurian Sea. This is a new step in the broadcaster's ambitious expansion strategy, which aims at increasingly widespread coverage of the region. With this new installation, Radio Ariston extends its presence to neighbouring municipalities and the surrounding hilly areas, reaching almost 80% of the Ligurian territory. ‘We are happy to continue expanding our signal,’ comments Enzo Sangrigoli, station manager of the radio station. "Thanks to the MediaDAB consortium, of which we are members, we now broadcast to almost the entire region. In the near future we expect to activate new systems and reach the entire Ligurian territory."

(FM-world) Read more


Agcom sent notice to the government on the interoperability of car radio receivers
29.05.2025 - Italy Italy
The Italian Communications Regulatory Authority has sent a report to the Government concerning a critical issue detected in the application of the Electronic Communications Code concerning the interoperability of car radio receivers and consumer radio receivers, which provides for the mandatory inclusion of a DAB+ receiver in new vehicles of categories M and N equipped with car radios, as from 2021. In its report to the Government, Agcom points out that it had conducted a survey to verify the evolution of the digital terrestrial radio broadcasting market. In the course of this survey, it emerged that in the automotive sector, the infotainment environment is today extremely competitive: radio publishers, content providers, streaming platforms and various broadcasting technologies such as FM, DAB+ and IP coexist.

(Aeranti-Corallo) Read more


Abruzzo DAB Consortium activates channel 7B in L'Aquila
19.05.2025 - Italy Italy
On Saturday 17 May, the DAB+ digital radio signal was activated on channel 7B in the city of L'Aquila, marking an important step forward for regional information and communication. The Abruzzo DAB Consortium, in cooperation with the broadcaster Radio L'Aquila 1, proudly announced the early start of digital broadcasting, which represents a historic milestone for the capital of Abruzzo. The "Consorzio Abruzzo DAB", which brings together local broadcasters from across the region, aims to manage and promote the technological transition to digital, guaranteeing equal access to the new platform and enhancing the voices of the territory.

(Consorzio Abruzzo DAB) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 60.5 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 88%
Services: 137 DAB+, 7 Data
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 4,900,000 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 100%
Total Sales (cumulative): 8,095,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 13%
Last update: 05.03.2024

Useful Links

Legislation relating to digital radio DAB-T
www.dab.it
www.digitalradio.it
www.eurodabitalia.it
Rai
www.raiway.rai.it
www.ras.bz.it/de/radio-de/