OSLO �As we�ve been reporting in Digital Radio Update, the switch-off of the national network FM stations is imminent in Norway, and will start on Jan. 11 in Nordland county.
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After that time, FM stations will start to go off-air the Trondheim region, where NRK will shut off its VHF FM transmitters on Feb. 8, followed by the commercial stations on April 21, according toradio.nl. Telemark County follows in April and June; the regions of Bergen and Stavanger in June and September; the Oslo region in September and December, and the last nationwide network FM transmitters will be turned off on Dec. 13 in Lapland.
In spite of the plan, Norway�s Center Party, in its alternative budget plan for 2017, proposes the allocation of 40 million Krone (about $4.6 million) to delay the shut-downs of the national FM stations, according toDagbladet.
Janne Sjelmo Nord�s, the parliamentary deputy of the Center Party, says that the many reports about poor DAB coverage are a good reason to take the matter seriously. �I think I’ve never gotten so much feedback from people who drive a lot, people who are at sea in a job situation, staying in cabins or their residence, and who say that DAB quality is not good enough. There are many reports, and I see good reason to take it seriously,� she told Dagbladet.
The Norwegian Parliament will consider the matter on Dec. 6.
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