Harris Broadcast Communications has received a second DAB digital radio contract from Norwegian broadcast network operator Norkring to support the country’s analog-to-digital radio broadcast transition.
The multimillion dollar contract represents the third phase of the network transition and is an extension to the existing agreement between the companies.
Following Norkring’s tender with Norwegian broadcaster NRK to expand the coverage of the DAB public radio network from 90 to 99.5% of the country’s population, Norkring has ordered several hundred more Harris transmitters with power ratings between 50 W and 600 W. As with the first two deployment phases, Harris will supply Platinum VAX VHF transmitters.
Norway plans to cease FM radio broadcasts in 2017, the first nation to plan a switch-off of all analog FM services. After the deadline, the country will use DAB digital radio technology for all audio transmissions, including networks used by disaster and emergency services.
According to a release, the decision to award the contracts to Harris was driven by business and technological considerations. Using one equipment brand simplifies spare parts inventories and maintenance schedules. Norkring also felt that the Harris transmitters were the most compact and energy-efficient DAB transmitters available.
“We have looked closely at the various options available on the market and Harris is preferred because of product efficiency, support and cost,” said Torbjørn Ø. Teigen, CEO of Norkring.
Upon completion of phase three, approximately 1,000 digital radio broadcast transmitters and a similar number of road tunnel transmitters will have been installed across the country.
