Sweden - Regulation and Spectrum - History
02.12.2014
Regulation and Spectrum
Key features of regulation for digital radio regulation in Sweden are;
- Band III
- One MUX in big cities only
- Switch-off date is to be set for analogue radio migration to DAB+
- Cost of parallel transmission on analogue and digital to be supported by the Government
- Industry co-ordinator has been appointed by the government to assure a transition by 2022
Regulation for Commercial Radio
In October 2012, all major commercial brodcasters applied for a total of 22 licences in both national and regional VHF Band III networks. Commercial licences will be valid until 2020 and MRTV have stated that there will be no requirements on bit rate per service. However, the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16. The commercial license holders are obliged to co-operate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area. As of May 2014 the private radio stations are still waiting for a decision on DAB+ licenses from the Radio and TV Authority (MRTV).
Regulation for Public Service Radio
The public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio (SR), gets their license directly from the Government. The license period is six years with the current license valid until 31 December 2019 and allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+ in VHF Band III, but only to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) and with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo).
Spectrum for DAB/DAV+ digital radio
At the spectrum conference GE-2006 Sweden was awarded a total spectrum equivalent to of 4 nationwide DAB/DAB+ multiplexers in Band III. Three of the four multiplexes are MFNs (making regional insertion possible up to the maximum of 34 available frequency layers). In 2010 the Swedish Government awarded two of the four multiplexers (spectrum-wise) to public service radio and remaining two multiplexers to commercial radio.
30.09.2014
Regulation and Spectrum
Key features of regulation for digital radio regulation in Sweden are;
- Band III
- One MUX in big cities only
- Switch-off date is to be set for analogue radio migration to DAB+
- Cost of parallel transmission on analogue and digital to be supported by the Government
- Industry co-ordinator is to be appointed by the government to assure a transition by 2022
Regulation for Commercial Radio
In October 2012, all major commercial brodcasters applied for a total of 22 licences in both national and regional VHF Band III networks. Commercial licences will be valid until 2020 and MRTV have stated that there will be no requirements on bit rate per service. However, the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16. The commercial license holders are obliged to co-operate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area. As of May 2014 the private radio stations are still waiting for a decision on DAB+ licenses from the Radio and TV Authority (MRTV).
Regulation for Public Service Radio
The public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio (SR), gets their license directly from the Government. The license period is six years with the current license valid until 31 December 2019 and allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+ in VHF Band III, but only to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) and with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo).
Spectrum for DAB/DAV+ digital radio
At the spectrum conference GE-2006 Sweden was awarded a total spectrum equivalent to of 4 nationwide DAB/DAB+ multiplexers in Band III. Three of the four multiplexes are MFNs (making regional insertion possible up to the maximum of 34 available frequency layers). In 2010 the Swedish Government awarded two of the four multiplexers (spectrum-wise) to public service radio and remaining two multiplexers to commercial radio.
23.10.2013
Regulation and Spectrum
Key features of regulation for digital radio regulation in Sweden are;
- Band III
- One MUX in big cities only
- Switch-off date is to be set for analogue radio migrate to DAB+ expected to take nine years
- Cost of parallel transmission on analogue and digital to be supported by the Government
- Industry co-ordinator is to be appointed by the government to assure a transition by 2022.
Regulation for Public Service Radio
The government proposes and the Parliament decides on the national Broadcasting Act in which license conditions and terms are set for the public service broadcaster, Swedish Radio (SR). The license period is six years. The current license is valid until 31 December 2013 and allows Swedish Radio to broadcast digital radio using DAB/DAB+ in VHF Band III, to four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) with a maximum number of nine services (Stockholm and Norrbotten) or 10 (Gothenburg and Malmo). In 2011, the Government commissioned an inquiry to broadly review the license terms for radio and television public service under the new licensing period starting 2014. The assignment was reported on the 11 September 2012 when the Commission proposed that SR should expand their DAB network coverage to 95% and get financial means to do so. A bill is expected to be presented to parliament in 2013 for the new license terms to take effect from 1 January 2014.
Public service radio currently, in January 2013, has some limitations in their digital broadcast license; they are only allowed to broadcast in four regions in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Norrbotten) and only with a maximum number of 9-10 services. There are no constraints on bitrates or choice of technology DAB or DAB+. The public service radio licenses are awarded to Swedish Radio by the Government on a six year basis and the next start period is from 1 January 2014.
Regulation for Commercial Radio
In 2012, the national authority for Radio and Television issued the application process for commercial digital radio licenses. The licenses will be decided by the Authority for Radio and TV in the form of a beauty contest. On 1st October 2012, seven commercial broadcasters applied for a total of 22 licenses in both national and regional VHF Band III networks. Major commercial broadcasters MTG radio and SBS radio, representing more than 91% of all non-public service radio listening, have applied for commercial digital licenses and are awaiting a decision by the Authority. The commercial licenses will be valid from 2013 until 2020.
At the spectrum conference GE-2006 Sweden was awarded a total spectrum equivalent to of 4 nationwide DAB/DAB+ multiplexers in Band III. Three of the four multiplexes are MFNs (making regional insertion possible up to the maximum of 34 available frequency layers). In 2010 the Swedish Government awarded two of the four multiplexers (spectrumwise) to public service radio and remaining two multiplexers to commercial radio.
Commercial radio is in the process of being awarded digital licenses. So far the Authorities have stated that there will be no requirements on bit rate per service. However, the maximum number of services per commercial multiplex will be 16. Also, the commercial license holders are obliged to cooperate in technical matters including choice of network operator. Coverage requirements may be imposed to ensure that the digital broadcasts reach a certain proportion of the population within the broadcasting area.
A bill is has been presented to parliament (June 2013) for the new license terms to take effect from 1 January 2014. Parliament will make a decision before the end of 2013.
An Industry coordinator started working in September 2013 to prepare a plan for introduction of DAB+. In October 2014 a proposal will be presented to the government.
As of August 2013 the private radio stations were still waiting for a decision on DAB+ licenses from the Radio and TV Authority.