Sweden - Current situation - History
02.12.2014
On December 1st, 2014 the Digital Radio Industry Co-ordinator appointed by the Government put forward the switchover plan. The main purpose to digitalize is to further develop radio in Sweden and to maintain and modernize a critical information infrastructure able to reach every citizen. The plan consists of three parts: a mutual launch, extension of the licenses for commercial radio actors to broadcast analogue, and a conditional shutdown of FM transmissions. The full report (in Swedish) can be downloaded at www.regeringen.se/sb/d/18245/a/250902. View the press release at http://www.regeringen.se/content/1/c6/25/08/67/3a1847d5.pdf.
DAB transmissions in Sweden started in 1995 and today coverage is 35% of the population with services from public
service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR). The licence under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019.
Over the years several propositions have been put forward to the Swedish Parliament suggesting a larger digital radio network rollout for public service broadcaster SR. This is seen as the first step to a switchover from analogue FM to digital DAB/DAB+. On 2 October 2014 the Swedish Broadcasting Authority awarded 21 national and 4 local/regional licenses for DAB+. Licenses will be valid from 2nd October 2014 until 30th September 2022 and broadcasting is to begin no later than 1st October 2015.
03.10.2014
DAB transmissions in Sweden started on the 27th of September 1995 and today the coverage (MUX1) is 35% of the population with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR). The license under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019.
During the years several propositions have been put forward to the Parliament suggesting a larger digital radio network roll-out for public service broadcaster SR. This is seen as the first step to a switchover from analogue FM to digital DAB/DAB+.
In 2009, trial transmissions of DAB+ started and the coverage (MUX 2) quickly reached 22% of the population with 16 services from public service radio, commercial radio and community local radio.
In 2010, the Radio and TV Act came into effect which, for the first time, allowed commercial radio companies to apply for digital licenses. This paved the way for a radio industry united behind DAB+, something for which both public and commercial services have been lobbying for. At the same time, the Swedish Government allocated spectrum for a total of four nationwide multiplexers in VHF band III to digital radio DAB/DAB+. Two multiplexers are reserved for SR and two multiplexers are reserved for commercial radio. Three of the multiplexers are regionally MFNs and one multiplexer is a nationwide SFN on channel 12B.
In 2012, the license regulator (MRTV) started the license process for commercial digital radio. All major commercial broadcasters, representing 91% of all listening not counting SR, applied for a total of 22 audio programme licenses spread over 2 commercial multiplexers.
In 2013, the Government appointed a Digital radio Industry Coordinator to put forward a Digital Switchover (DSO) proposal following consultation with SR adn the commercial radio broadcasters which would be considered by Swedish Parliament.
On 2 October 2014 the Swedish Broadcasting Authority awarded 21 national and 4 local / regional licenses for DAB+. Licenses will be valid from 2nd October 2014 until 30th September 2022 and broadcasting is to begin no later than 1st October 2015. The Radio industry awaits the switchover plan to be put forward by the Digital Radio Industry Co-ordinator appointed by the Government (expected in November 2014).
30.09.2014
DAB transmissions in Sweden started on the 27th of September 1995 and today the coverage (MUX1) is 35% of the population with services from public service broadcaster Swedish Radio (SR). The license under which SR operates is valid until 31 December 2019.
During the years several propositions have been put forward to the Parliament suggesting a larger digital radio network roll-out for public service broadcaster SR. This is seen as the first step to a switchover from analogue FM to digital DAB/DAB+.
In 2009, trial transmissions of DAB+ started and the coverage (MUX 2) quickly reached 22% of the population with 16 services from public service radio, commercial radio and community local radio.
In 2010, the Radio and TV Act came into effect which, for the first time, allowed commercial radio companies to apply for digital licenses. This paved the way for a radio industry united behind DAB+, something for which both public and commercial services have been lobbying for. At the same time, the Swedish Government allocated spectrum for a total of four nationwide multiplexers in VHF band III to digital radio DAB/DAB+. Two multiplexers are reserved for SR and two multiplexers are reserved for commercial radio. Three of the multiplexers are regionally MFNs and one multiplexer is a nationwide SFN on channel 12B.
In 2012, the license regulator (MRTV) started the license process for commercial digital radio. All major commercial broadcasters, representing 91% of all listening not counting SR, applied for a total of 22 audio programme licenses spread over 2 commercial multiplexers.
In 2013, the Government appointed a Digital radio Industry Coordinator to put forward a Digital Switchover (DSO) proposal following consultation with SR adn the commercial radio broadcasters which would be considered by Swedish Parliament.
Today, the radio industry awaits the commercial licenses to be issued (expected in Quarter 1-2014) and the Switchover Plan to be put forward by the Digital Radio Industry Coordinator appointed by the Government (expected in November 2014).