News

Following a consultation on amending the National Frequency Plan, nine of the 22 local DAB+ networks – the so-called layer 6 – will switch frequency blocks next summer. The switch is necessary because the regional broadcasters will then switch to the new network format on DAB+. The regional public and non-national commercial radio stations – layer 4 in the frequency plan – will leave the five existing DAB+ allotments next summer for seven new allotments. The new layout will be more in line with provincial boundaries.

Klassik Radio remains on a strategic expansion course: the radio station for classical music fans, which was expanded in March 2021 in a first step into German-speaking Switzerland, will also be receivable via DAB+ in the federal capital of Bern, the Bernese Oberland, Biel-Solothurn and Oberwallis. from 10 December 2021.

After the expansion in German-speaking Switzerland in 2020 and 2021, SRG expanded its DAB+ digital radio network in Italian and French-speaking Switzerland. In total, it has put ten new DAB+ transmitter sites into operation and optimised twelve. In the Jura region in particular, SRG ensured better DAB+ reception. The DAB+ network in Italian-speaking Switzerland has been fully expanded since the DAB+ transmitter Cardada went into operation in early 2021.

The first permanent small-scale DAB network has launched today, marking a milestone in the UK’s radio landscape and the start of a small-scale revolution for local radio which is set to bring a huge expansion of local radio listening choice to listeners across the nation. The new network brings fourteen additional local commercial, community and specialist music radio services to listeners.

In the course of next year, the West Bohemian company RTI cz would like to put into operation a new DAB+ transmitter in western Bohemia, specifically from the Čerchov elevation, and would thus cover the problematic area of ​​the Domažlice region, according to Roman Kropáček, the company's operations director, in an interview with Televizníweb.

The North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) has announced the expansion plans for 2022 for its own DAB+ transmitter network. The expansion for 2021 will be completed with the activation of transmitters in the Malchin region in December. The full schedule of launches in 2022 has been published on the NDR website, further regions are being planned for expansion from 2023.

Polish small scale DAB network operator DABCOM has launched another test multiplex in the city of Szczecin, north west Poland, putting seven DAB+ radio stations on air. DABCOM also runs DAB+ trial transmissions in Gliwice, Szczawnica and Andrychów. DABCOM aims to soon launch the first regular service DAB+ multiplexes. The Office of Electronic Communications indicated the company as the network operator in the cities of Warsaw, Katowice, Poznań, Częstochowa and Tarnów.

A new study from Germany has showed how digital radio can help broadcasters reduce energy usage. Describing DAB+ as “green radio,” the report says on broadcasting a single service, between 70 and 90 percent of energy can be saved by switching from FM to DAB+. Veit Olischläger, head of technology, media management and public relations at BLM, said: “Climate change is a challenge for all of us. Broadcasting via DAB+ saves up to 90 percent of energy, and regardless of DAB+, the greatest energy saving effects would be achieved just by replacing older FM sets.”

The Bulgarian regulator, CRC, has announced it intends to open a competition for the use of DAB+ in Band III. The relevant documents are being prepared by the CRC within the next two months. At a meeting on 2 December the CRC adopted Decision № 404 of 02.12.2021, formally adopting the results of the public consultation on the prospects for the use of radio frequencies in band III 174 - 230 MHz.

The operator of the Prague multiplex COLOR DAB + has completed the deployment of slideshow for all stations. From Monday, information about the currently played song and the station's logo will be broadcast for all services on the multiplex. "We consider this additional information to be a standard part of DAB+ broadcasting, which should not be missing," said project coordinator Jakub Melín. The radio network is currently in test mode, and plans to go live with regular services from January 2022. The offer also includes also two German radio stations.