Norway to switch off FM radio in risky, unpopular shift to digital

[ChrisSmolinski]

Norway is set to become the first nation to start switching off its FM radio network next week, in a risky and unpopular leap to digital technology that will be closely watched by other countries considering whether to follow suit.

Critics say the government is rushing the move and many people may miss warnings on emergencies that have until now been broadcast via the radio. Of particular concern are the 2 million cars on Norway’s roads that are not equipped with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receivers, they say.

Sixty-six per cent of Norwegians oppose switching off FM, with just 17 per cent in favour and the rest undecided, according to an opinion poll published by the daily Dagbladet last month.


Nevertheless, parliament gave the final go-ahead for the move last month, swayed by the fact that digital networks can carry more radio channels.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/norway-to-switch-off-fm-radio-in-risky-unpopular-shift-to-digital/article33510755/

[Josh]

They're (they being rich and powerful) also drooling over the outcome of India's ban on cash. They made illegal like 80 percent of the notes in use, forcing people who don't have bank accounts (which was a large portion of Indians) to create them, and force digital transactions on everyone. A Brave New World of no more analog radio, no more cash.

[skeezix]

This could be great news for pirates.

From what I can find at Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom), DAB+ will be operating 219-240 MHz band, freeing up 87.5-108 MHz. Let the par-tay begin!  No more interference.

[BoomboxDX]

At least according to what I read last year, the FM commercial broadcasters that were unable to get onto the official national FM network will still be on the air. The DAB network has a limited number of channels and not all the commercial broadcasters can fit.

Norway has a system where only the most popular commercial stations get on the national network (whether FM or DAB), the others are left out in the cold, and are only in selected cities where they have their own FM transmitting antennas.