News

A RadioToday opinion piece by Olivier Mauxion at Eirewave on the latest DAB developments. “With experience in DAB+ initiatives across Switzerland, France and the UK, I’ve seen both pitfalls and successes – and one thing is certain: content is king. As Ireland launches its new trial with the FáilteDAB multiplex in Dublin, there’s a rare opportunity to reintroduce DAB+ under favourable conditions – and to learn from others’ journeys. The trial’s launch on 24 March 2025, bringing 26 stations to Dublin and parts of Leinster, is a positive sign. The mix of well-known FM brands and more niche outlets sets a good tone. It’s also an invitation to think beyond the basics – to imagine what DAB+ could become here.”

Network operator Dasto Semtel, in partnership with TEAM:MEDIA, has begun testing DAB+ technology in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a post on social media, the company said: "We are proud to announce the start of the testing phase of DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus) – a new digital radio broadcasting standard that brings better quality sound without interference, more reliable broadcasting and more radio channels. This is just the beginning! Testing allows us to explore the possibilities that DAB+ offers and to prepare the ground for the future of digital broadcasting in Bosnia and Herzegovina." A transmitter at Grdonj covers the capital, Sarajevo, with the Šibovi site covering the second city of Banja Luka. Currently, both transmitters are broadcasting seven radio stations on Channel 11B.

DAB-Swiss reports: "Network operator digris is planning to commission various micro-transmitters for three of its DAB areas in the coming months. This is intended to close gaps in coverage. It should be noted that the specified transmission powers are probably not final and may be increased at a later date." The new sites are: Aarau-Olten (channel 5D) - Frick, 66 watts and Nätteberg, 23 watts, both in March 2026; Basel (channel 10A) - Liestal-Schleifenberg, 380 watts, July 2025 and Nenzlingen-Uf Egg, 400 watts, March 2026; Winterthur-Schaffhausen (channel 5D) Bauma-Neuguet, 13 watts, Weisslingen-Schwendi, 13 watts, and Wildberg-Tössegg, 15 watts, vertical, all in October 2025, and Siblingen Randen, 38 watts, March 2026.

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited, the operationally focused, specialist digital infrastructure investor, managed by Cordiant Capital Inc, is pleased to announce that its Czech portfolio company, CRA, continues to successfully expand and commercialise its DAB+ network with the launch of a further six commercial radio stations with Active Radio and Londa, which have combined weekly listeners of over 5 million. These DAB+ radio stations, similar to the other stations on the network, have been launched under long-term contracts. CRA’s commercial DAB+ network (“DAB B”) now broadcasts from 31 transmitters, reaching 83.4% of the Czech population and, with the recent launch of additional radio stations, is now at 73% capacity.

With the activation of six new DAB+ zones just around the corner, Phare FM is launching its spring RadioDonation campaign with a target of 90,000 euros. This community radio station, founded in Mulhouse, is based on an atypical model: 95% of its funding comes from its listeners. A rare form of independence in the French radio landscape. Founded in Mulhouse 35 years ago, Phare is continuing to expand throughout France and beyond. At the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, six new areas will be covered by DAB+: Belfort-Montbéliard, Chartres, Évreux, Laval, Montélimar and the whole of Alsace, enabling seamless listening in its home region. With these additions, the station will reach 44 transmitters and 23 frequencies, potentially reaching 22 million people.

Together with its members, the Austrian Digital Radio Association organised an intensive and inspiring workshop day that was all about the future: How will radio be used in 2035? What role will current social megatrends play in listening behaviour? And what steps are necessary to establish DAB+ as a reliable reception channel in Austria in the long term? Florian Haas, Head of Innovations at Maxfive, presented current developments and forecasts from the Zukunftsinstitut. The effects of these trends on radio use were discussed in working groups: What changes are emerging? What specific opportunities does this present for the medium of radio and for DAB+ in particular? And how does radio compare to other media types?

With the launch of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), a centralised body has taken up its work in Austria that is also important for media policy. The Austrian Digital Radio Association recently had the opportunity to meet and have a constructive dialogue with Answer Lang, the person responsible for media policy and media law. Digitalisation is changing all areas of the media - including radio. In a discussion with the BMWKMS, Managing Director Thomas Pöcheim and Chairman of the association Roman Gerner presented the current developments and strategic goals of Digitalradio Austria.

The 23rd MBT Conference, held this week in beautiful Opatija, Croatia, from 21 - 23 May 2025, welcomed over 200 delegates from 23 countries. The event continues to grow year after year, and this year was particularly special as the host, Croatia's OIV, celebrated its 99th year of operation. The conference delegates were welcomed by OIV's CEO, Mate Botica, and the newly elected President of the MBT Association, Mihael Jančić. The opening keynote was delivered by Lars Backlund, secretary-general of Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE), who emphasised the importance of innovating and preparing for the long-term future of terrestrial broadcasting. WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill outlined the three key features which set ASA apart and why it is now rolling out: location coding, new signalling, and receiver synchronisation.

Factum Radioscape, a global leader in Digital Audio Broadcasting technology, has been awarded the contract to upgrade the national DAB+ multiplexing system in Kuwait. The project will deploy Factum Radioscape’s flagship MultiMuxa and MultiMonitor platforms, delivering a future-ready, fully redundant DAB+ system for the Ministry of Information (MOI). The system upgrade includes main and backup configurations for full operational redundancy, ensuring high availability and reliability of service. Once deployed, the national multiplex will continue to carry 16 DAB+ radio services, including established stations such as Al Danah, Kuwait FM, and Easy 92.5.

Regional broadcaster RTV Zulthe can be heard on DAB+ from 23 May. The broadcaster can be heard on the digital airwaves via channel 6D. RTV Zulthe is the regional broadcaster for the municipalities of Noordenveld and Westerkwartier. The broadcasts via DAB+ are made possible by transmitter operator Radio Netwerk Nederland (RNN). It will be broadcast from a transmitter mast in Tolbert. Currently, local broadcaster RTV Zulthe is the only broadcaster that can be heard over this network. ‘Thanks to this development, the regional broadcaster of the municipalities of Noordenveld and Westerkwartier is now firmly represented in the digital ether,’ RNN said.