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Norway begins switching off analogue radio Norway ignores bad reception and starts FM radio switch-off
(about 2 hours later)
Norway has become the first nation in the world to phase out analogue radio signals. Starting at 11.11am local time on Wednesday (10.11 GMT), it will begin closing down its FM signal in the expectation that by the end of the year only Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) will be available.Norway has become the first nation in the world to phase out analogue radio signals. Starting at 11.11am local time on Wednesday (10.11 GMT), it will begin closing down its FM signal in the expectation that by the end of the year only Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) will be available.
The Norwegian government has said the cost savings will let broadcasters invest more in programming, and give listeners a better and more reliable sound that will be more easily receivable in a country with lots of mountains and rocks.The Norwegian government has said the cost savings will let broadcasters invest more in programming, and give listeners a better and more reliable sound that will be more easily receivable in a country with lots of mountains and rocks.
Norway has long felt the disadvantage – notably the expense – of getting FM signals to a relatively small population of 5.25 million spread around a landscape shaped by fjords and mountains.Norway has long felt the disadvantage – notably the expense – of getting FM signals to a relatively small population of 5.25 million spread around a landscape shaped by fjords and mountains.
The government decided that with 70% of Norwegian households already tuning in digitally it was time to phase out the dated technology. Norway has 26 DAB channels, including the five on the FM spectrum that are soon to be removed.The government decided that with 70% of Norwegian households already tuning in digitally it was time to phase out the dated technology. Norway has 26 DAB channels, including the five on the FM spectrum that are soon to be removed.
But some have called the move premature, saying up to 2.3 million car users have no DAB sets. Critics have warned that emergency traffic messages – often vital in Norway’s inclement winters – may be unheard.But some have called the move premature, saying up to 2.3 million car users have no DAB sets. Critics have warned that emergency traffic messages – often vital in Norway’s inclement winters – may be unheard.
Motorists have been bombarded with offers to either upgrade their analogue sets using a 1,500 kroner (£143) adapter or to buy a new DAB radio for around 4,000 kroner.Motorists have been bombarded with offers to either upgrade their analogue sets using a 1,500 kroner (£143) adapter or to buy a new DAB radio for around 4,000 kroner.
In a poll conducted by the daily newspaper Dagbladet, around two-thirds of Norwegians said the government was acting too fast. Much of the discussion has centred on the elderly and fears that they could be left isolated because they have neither the money nor the technical knowhow to make the transition. DAB sets for the home cost around 1,000 kroner.In a poll conducted by the daily newspaper Dagbladet, around two-thirds of Norwegians said the government was acting too fast. Much of the discussion has centred on the elderly and fears that they could be left isolated because they have neither the money nor the technical knowhow to make the transition. DAB sets for the home cost around 1,000 kroner.
The move will be closely watched by other nations in Europe considering the move, in particular Britain, Denmark and Switzerland, all of which are considered to be well prepared. Other countries such as France and Germany, where broadcasters have failed to be convinced of the advantages of DAB, are considerably behind.The move will be closely watched by other nations in Europe considering the move, in particular Britain, Denmark and Switzerland, all of which are considered to be well prepared. Other countries such as France and Germany, where broadcasters have failed to be convinced of the advantages of DAB, are considerably behind.
Germany was due to switch off FM signals by 2015, but in 2011 MPs voted against the schedule.Germany was due to switch off FM signals by 2015, but in 2011 MPs voted against the schedule.
In the UK more than 35% of radio listening is digital. The government has said the switch from FM to DAB will happen when the figure stands at 50% and the DAB signal can be received by 90% of the population.In the UK more than 35% of radio listening is digital. The government has said the switch from FM to DAB will happen when the figure stands at 50% and the DAB signal can be received by 90% of the population.
“The main reason behind this big technological change is that we want to offer a better radio service to the entire population,” said Ole Jorgen Tormark, the head of Digitalradio Norge, which is owned by the public broadcaster NRK and the commercial station P4.“The main reason behind this big technological change is that we want to offer a better radio service to the entire population,” said Ole Jorgen Tormark, the head of Digitalradio Norge, which is owned by the public broadcaster NRK and the commercial station P4.
He argued that DAB would offer better coverage, would allow listeners to catch up on programmes they missed, and offered a more reliable method of broadcasting vital crisis bulletins in times of emergency.He argued that DAB would offer better coverage, would allow listeners to catch up on programmes they missed, and offered a more reliable method of broadcasting vital crisis bulletins in times of emergency.
The advocates of the move say that as DAB and FM have operated side by side for almost 22 years, the move should be a smooth one.The advocates of the move say that as DAB and FM have operated side by side for almost 22 years, the move should be a smooth one.
The FM switch-off will begin in Nordland in the north, and is due to be finished by the end of 2017.The FM switch-off will begin in Nordland in the north, and is due to be finished by the end of 2017.