- Mer radio in the digital collection – TV 2

Mari Hagerup, communications manager of Digital radio Norway disagrees description that Norway is an “outsider” in radio context.

– Norway is not the only country that moves toward digital technology, many other countries working on this. There is presently a European cooperation on this matter between krinkgkastere and governments. DAB is also widely used in countries such as Australia and Korea. Norway is early in the process, says Hagerup.

– But that’s not all countries that have landed on DAB platform?

– The uncertainty is not so one can get the impression when reading Norwegian newspapers. The European Broadcasting Union EBU recommends a transition to digital radio and pointing out DAB + as a backbone in radio broadcasts. It is not a wealth of broadcast technologies to choose from. In the US effort is part of satellite radio, but it is best suited for open landscape. In Norway and Europe DAB better suited, says Hagerup.

Must have broadcast in addition to mobile

Hagerup believes radio listening via cellular can not replace broadcast radio.

DRIVE TO DIGITAL: BBC keeps these days its annual event Drive to Digital, where DAB radios in cars is a central theme. Here there Culture Ed Vaizey who keeps posting. Photo: Mari Hagerup

– This must live side by side. One can not rely on sending Internet radio or mobile network to an entire country. There is lack of internet coverage in many places, and moreover may occur capacity problems when many will listen simultaneously, she said.

Mari Hagerup emphasizes that it is not finally decided that the national FM network liquidated in 2017. Five requirements must be met, and the government takes a position on the question on the basis of the five requirements are deemed to be fulfilled. A clarification is expected in the spring, probably in April.

By 1 March, the Ministry of Culture receive status reports from the Media Authority and the National Communications Authority.

These conditions must be met before the FM network goes:

• NRK radio offerings must have digital coverage corresponding to the current P1 coverage on the FM network.
• The commercial network must be built out to at least 90 per cent population coverage.
• The digital radio offer must represent an added value to the public.
• There must be reasonable and technically satisfactory solutions for radio reception in cars.
• At least half of radio listeners must daily hearing wholly or partly on a digital radio platform.

– The Government will then make a decision about whether the criteria are met and whether the FM network can be extinguished in 2017 or about extinction postponed until 2019, said adviser Daniel Large Holthe Kristiansen in an email to TV 2.

The sound is getting kudos

One of the benefits of DAB rollout is that people in rural areas will get a far richer radio offerings, says Mari Hagerup. From four to five channels on the FM band, people in rural areas receive up to 22 channels. At present, 90 percent of the population 22 nationwide channels, according Digitalradio Norway.

– Aside from that state people better sound as the biggest advantage. The experienced sound is much better. It is no longer jarring. It’s about the analog technology and what happens when it is disturbed. A lot has happened with technology for 60 years, says Hagerup.

Extinguishing terms apply only the national FM networks and will not affect all local radio stations. Some local radio stations will be able to continue to send in their local FM networks after quenching.