Uvek licenses three digital radio stations for French-speaking Switzerland
The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications (UVEK) has granted three digital radio stations a license to broadcast in French-speaking Switzerland. Radio Rhône, Radio Fribourg/Freiburg, and a station from the Jura region will begin broadcasting via DAB+.
The license guarantees the three providers a place in the third transmitter network for digital radio stations, which is yet to be established. As the Uvek announced on Monday, the SRG has also been granted the right to broadcast two radio stations on the new transmitter network. It remains to be seen who will operate the third digital transmitter network. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) will issue the radio license in the coming weeks.
Today there are already two DAB transmitter networks. The first has been operated by SRG since 1999 and exclusively broadcasts SRG programs. It broadcasts in the original DAB standard. Since autumn 2009, Swiss Media Cast has also been the second radio licensee to broadcast ten stations from private broadcasters and four SRG stations in DAB+ quality on a transmitter network.
All three stations licensed for French-speaking Switzerland are based on existing local radio stations. In contrast to the analog FM license, however, the digital offering must be geared towards the entire language region.
Today there are already two DAB transmitter networks. The first has been operated by SRG since 1999 and exclusively broadcasts SRG programs. It broadcasts in the original DAB standard. Since autumn 2009, Swiss Media Cast has also been the second radio licensee to broadcast ten stations from private broadcasters and four SRG stations in DAB+ quality on a transmitter network.
All three stations licensed for French-speaking Switzerland are based on existing local radio stations. In contrast to the analog FM license, however, the digital offering must be geared towards the entire language region.
