Norway refuses to FM-broadcasting until 2017

Minister of Culture of Norway Torhild Widvey announced that up to 2017 country fully switch to digital broadcasting, abandoning analog FM broadcast. Thus, Norway will be the first country in the world to implement such a transition. Because now cover digital DAB-radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting) in the country exceeds the coverage of analog FM stations, it is expected that the change of broadcasting standard will be quick and painless.

Norway began the transition to digital broadcasting in 1995. In statistical terms the situation with subscribers and their existing equipment as follows:

• 56% of Norwegians only listen to digital radio
• 44% of Norwegians only listen to FM-radio
• 20% of the vehicles are equipped with digital DAB-radio receiver
• 55% of Norwegian households have at least one digital radio DAB-
  In Europe, several countries also voiced plans similar to Norway. Since the German company ARD declared its readiness for the transition to digital broadcasting standard DAB +, a roadmap for a similar transition and developed in Sweden. However, the plans of Stockholm on this subject take a longer time - off FM-broadcasting needs to happen in 2024. Generally, in the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, digital radio networks covered more than 90% of the territory. In the hands of subscribers is approximately 30 million digital radios standard DAB / DAB +, while growth in sales of such devices has doubled over the past few years.
  
  Source: geektimes.ru/post/249244/