Norway To Cut Off FM Radio In Switch To Digital

[Riddick]

Norway is to become the first country to shut down its FM radio network, despite concerns that millions are not ready for the switch to digital.

Critics have warned it is both risky and unpopular, not least because an estimated two million cars on Norwegian roads are not equipped with DAB receivers.

There are also fears that elderly and vulnerable people, often cut off by fjords and mountains, may be left unable to receive emergency warnings - traditionally broadcast on FM.

A poll by a national newspaper in December found that 66% of Norwegians were opposed to the switchover, and only 17% were in favour.

The change is being pushed through regardless, and the northern city of Bodoe will be first to go DAB-only on Wednesday.

Norway's parliament voted in favour of switching off FM radio after hearing it would lead to a greater choice of radio stations, as well as clearer sound.

But Ib Thomsen, an MP from the Progress Party, said: "We are simply not ready for this yet.

"There are two million cars on Norwegian roads that don't have DAB receivers, and millions of radios in Norwegian homes will stop working when the FM network is switched off. So there is definitely a safety concern."

Ole Joergen, head of Digital Radio Norway, has admitted that cars will be the "biggest challenge" because a good digital adapter for an FM car radio costs about 1,500 Norwegian crowns (£142).

Other countries will be watching with great interest, with Switzerland planning to retire its FM network in 2020.

The UK government says it will consider a switchover once 50% of listeners are using a digital radio - a milestone which analysts say could be reached by the end of this year.

http://news.sky.com/story/norway-warned ... s-10719111

[Doka]

Riddick, I really don't understand this stuff very well........ Is there a reason that they want to drop FM?

[Riddick]

Riddick, I really don't understand this stuff very well........ Is there a reason that they want to drop FM?

Well Doka, being "tuned in" as he is to all things OTA? If VO were here I'm sure he could give you a definitive and detailed explanation as to why Norway's anxious to deal FM radio a death blow -

That said, even as I'm not in VO's league, with what I know I'll go so far as to say odds are 1) There's wireless providers that want to get their hands on the FM spectrum, and 2) Norway's government doesn't care about the public interest as much as the money they'll be getting

There may well be more to it, but hey, going ahead with a just say "NO" to analog policy, who's it gonna hurt? -- OTOH, NOT going ahead isn't good for business. So, digital wins. (Sorry Dude!)