OSLO�A very interesting article regarding the upcoming shut-down of the FM service in Norway has been published by Gunnar Garfors.� It gives a few more insights in to the reasons behind Norway�s decision to end the FM service there.�
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Here are a few of the more important ones:
������� The FM network can only accommodate five nationwide radio stations, whereas DAB already offers 22 nationwide radio stations with room for another 20 or so.
������� FM costs are eight-�times higher per radio station than for DAB+.� The public broadcaster NRK�s 2,000 FM transmitters alone cost tens of millions of Euros a year to run, all while providing less coverage than the DAB+ network of transmitters.�
������� Norway has the world’s biggest DAB+ network, given its challenging topography. �NRK needs 765 transmitters to ensure 99.5 percent coverage. The private broadcasters need 190 transmitters to reach 91.8 percent of the population.�
A further comment from Garfors: �But who cares, anyway? �Radio listening is declining. �Right?� Wrong.�Radio listening (in Norway) has in fact not been higher since 1991. Every Norwegian now listens to the radio for 100 minutes daily, up from 90 minutes last year. �A lot of that can be contributed to more radio stations, better tailored radio stations, better coverage and clearer sound. �Those countries that have not yet started digitizing radio might want to reconsider.�
