24 Oct 2017

Why support the digitisation of terrestrial radio, what are the problems and how to break the barriers?

Due to analogue FM radio switch-off (ARSO, AFMRSO, AFMSO, or simply ASO) in Norway this year, after 13 December 2017 many local or community radio stations will continue broadcasting on FM for 5 years or until 31 December 2021. The next countries after Norway in queue are Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In case of Denmark, ARSO will be occured within 2 years after 50% of digital radio listenership (currently 33% in 1st half of 2017) will be reached. In case of Switzerland, ARSO will be held between 2020-2024. In case of the United Kingdom, ARSO may be decided after all criteria will be met such as 50% of digital radio listenership will be reached according to RAJAR and national DAB coverage must be comparable to FM radio, and local DAB coverage reaches of 90% for both households and all major roads. What how are reasons?