Netherlands - Regulation and Spectrum - History

15.10.2012

The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands . It was announced that Band III and L-band should be used for DAB based services . Broadcasters may choose to use DAB, DAB+ or DMB . The majority of interested parties are likely to choose DAB+ .

National commercial stations have now obtained a multiplex license for a minimum of 16 DAB stations . Regional stations (both public and commercial) had until 10 June 2011 to inform the minister if they would use a commercial regional mux, or piggy back on an already issued mux (operated by MTVNL) .Local radio is assigned L-band frequencies.

Licenses have been issued in Band III to Mobile TV Netherlands (MTVNL) and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area . TV Mobile Netherlands BV owns the license for nationwide mobile TV, radio and data broadcast and currently has an extensive test network operating in the Haaglanden, Hilversum and the Eindhoven region . A full nationwide commercial launch will begin in 2012 .

There is no FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for six years until the end of 2017 . Formal policy is that ultimately one to two years before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off 

13.08.2010

The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-band should be used for DAB based services.  Broadcasters may choose to use DAB, DAB+ or DMB.  The majority of interested parties are likely to choose DAB+.

02.09.2008

The Dutch government issues DAB licences and determines the terms and conditions that apply to the use of DAB in the Netherlands. It was announced that Band III and L-band should be used for DAB based services. An auction is currently planned for the end of 2008.