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Finished with TV, Norway is now digitising radio

The plan to roll out digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa met yet another delay as e.tv went to court to challenge the policy last week. As we wrangle in the courts, Norway is going ahead with its transition into digital radio, having made the move to broadcasting of TV in digital format over five years ago.

According to Engadget, FM radio in all of Norway will be switched off in 2017. It will also be the first country in the world to switch wholly from analogue to digital signals.

Thorhild Widvey, the minister who oversees implementation of the switch is quoted in the Ministry of Culture’s announcement as having said that, “Listeners will have access to more diverse and pluralistic radio content, and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality.”

She added “Whereas the FM system only had space for five national channels, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) already offers 22, and there is capacity for almost 20 more.”

Our government is also well aware of the benefits of switching to DTT if comments by Department of Communication deputy director general, Ndivhuho Munzhelele, are anything to go by.

He told SA Government News Agency earlier this month that, “Our people need to understand that this digital migration revolution is going to change the look and feel of television in this country. Television studios are going to change for the better.”

While the waiting continues here, Norway also noted the reduction in costs that will come with the switch. The savings, which are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of Norwegian Krone, will be channelled into improving radio content in the country.

[Source – Engadget, Image – by CC 2.0/Smiker]

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