The Spanish government has approved the implementation of digital terrestrial radio using DAB+ technology. The country currently uses the older DAB form.
According to an announcement by the Council of Ministers, in the first phase, adoption of DAB+ will be mandatory only for national broadcasters, and regional and local broadcasters may adopt it voluntarily.
“Subsequently, each autonomous community will determine the date from which all broadcasts within its territory must be carried out exclusively via DAB+, in a mandatory and synchronized manner.”
The switch to DAB+, the council said, allows for more efficient use of spectrum and improves audio signal encoding, making it more resistant to interference.
“Its implementation will be simple and will have no impact on the existing network, as it will be enough for the broadcast network operators to adapt the signal encoding, without the need to introduce a new transmission technology, nor to establish ‘shutdown’ phases for the previous technology (DAB).”
It noted that DAB+ enables multichannel or surround sound and allows for the addition of features such as the Automatic Safety Alert System.
According to the announcement, the decree expands RTVE’s public broadcasting service coverage obligations beyond its current DAB requirements.
“RTVE must progressively reach 80% of the population within 30 months, including 70% of towns with more than 25,000 inhabitants. Additionally, within this 30-month period, it must also cover 70% of highways and motorways.”
European regulations require that new vehicles sold in the European Union include DAB+ compatible receivers.
Fifteen Spanish cities currently have digital radio from public broadcaster RNE, with Radio Clásica and Ràdio 4 (in Barcelona) joining the initial DAB+ broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5. RTVE shut down its medium-wave broadcasts at the end of 2025:
WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill reacted: “We’re delighted that Spain is now able to move to the next chapter in its adoption of DAB+ digital radio, driven by the public broadcaster RTVE. Other markets across Europe have already seen the benefits DAB+ offers for both public and private broadcasters, as well as innovations such as life-saving Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA). We look forward to supporting our member RTVE, along with the wider Spanish radio industry as the digital radio rollout proceeds.”
[Related: WorldDAB Sets Its Summit Agenda]
