Third DAB network for the expansion of regional stations
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has granted Swiss Media Cast SMC a license to operate a new digital DAB+ transmitter network. Private broadcasters and SRG SSR can now further expand their digital radio offering at regional level.
The third DAB network consists of seven coverage areas in German-speaking Switzerland. Construction of the first sub-area is to begin in November 2012. This was announced by OFCOM on Tuesday.
The new network will give private radio stations the opportunity to broadcast their programs regionally in one or more sub-regions on a digital platform. SRG also intends to broadcast up to three regional journals in each of these seven sub-regions. The seven coverage areas cover the regions of Upper Valais, Bern-Freiburg-Solothurn, Basel, Central Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, Graubünden and Zurich-Aargau-Glarus-Schaffhausen. According to SDA, the latter sub-region will be the first to go live in March 2013.
As only SMC had shown interest to Bakom, no invitation to tender was necessary, as SDA writes. The license could be granted directly. Swiss Media Cast is an association of private radio broadcasters and the SRG.
