Roadmaps to digitalize radio in Sweden and Switzerland recommend that the transition from FM to digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) take place in the next ten years.   

The findings of separate investigations commissioned and published this week by each government correspond to a European-wide transition scheme supported by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).  

In Sweden

The digital radio study prepared by a government coordinator recommends that public-service broadcaster Swedish Radio and commercial radios launch digital terrestrial radio services in Sweden in January 2017.

The entire Swedish radio industry could leave FM by 2022, providing four conditions are met by 2020:

• Digital radio must have the same reach as existing FM
• Additional services must be provided for audiences
• A minimum of 50 per cent of daily listening must be available in digital form
• A solution to convert car receivers for digital reception must be in place

Cilla Benkö, Swedish Radio director general says it’s time for politicians to make up their minds.

“The radio industry is united in agreeing that terrestrial radio must be digitized,” said Ms Benkö. “Swedish Radio is one of the most significant broadcasting corporations in Europe in regard to the creation of content that has social impact. Swedish Radio plays a crucial role in a well-functioning democracy. Moreover, Sweden's ambition is to known as a leading IT-nation. In order to live up to these goals, we must see this crucial infrastructure project realized. Swedish Radio must get the resources necessary for a successful investment. That is a decision only politicians can make.”

In Switzerland

A separate roadmap prepared by experts from Swiss public service broadcaster SRG, commercial radios and Ofcom recommends that by 2024, radio services only be broadcast digitally in Switzerland, mainly on DAB+ platforms:

• By the end of 2019 all FM stations are to broadcast digitally on a DAB+ platform.
• The actual switch to digital radio broadcasting is scheduled to take place from 2020 onwards

EBU digital radio project manager and Head of Radio Christian Vogg says Europe is clearly shifting towards digital terrestrial radio.

“Terrestrial radio broadcasting must make the switchover from analogue to digital to keep up with consumer demand and expectations,” said Mr Vogg. “Digital audio broadcasting, especially in its upgraded version DAB+, is a green technology that offers many benefits. Broadcasters can save up to 90 per cent of their distribution costs while having up to five times more channels on air because DAB makes more efficient use of spectrum. At the same time it is crucial for broadcasters, and society as a whole, to keep a reliable and cheap network alongside the internet."