According to Radio.no, Norway will be shutting down FM radio in the beginning of 2017 in an attempt to finalize the transition to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). The Norwegian Ministry of Culture has been highlighting DAB’s better sound quality, low operational costs, and new functionality as making obviously superior to FM radio, which is why there are more than 20 national DAB channels in Norway compared to only 5 FM channels.
Norway will shut down FM radio in the country beginning in 2017, Radio.no reports. The Norwegian Ministry of Culture finalized a shift date this week, making it the first country to do away with FM radio entirely. The country plans to transition to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) as a national standard. A statement released this week by the Ministry of Culture confirms a switch-off date that was proposed by the Norwegian government back in 2011. The government has concluded that the country is capable of meeting all the requirements necessary for a smooth transition to digital. “Listeners will have access to more diverse and pluralistic radio-content, and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality,” Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey said in a statement. “Digitization will also greatly improve the emergency preparedness system, facilitate increased competition and offer new opportunities for innovation and development.”
