SRG improves offer for DAB+ and discontinues DAB
SRG is expanding its DAB+ digital radio offering. From November 15, 2016, a further part of its DAB+ programs can be received throughout Switzerland. To make this expansion possible, SRG is ending DAB operations.
Ten years after the introduction of DAB+ digital reception technology, SRG is continuing to prepare for the digital radio future. In mid-November, it will optimize its offering for DAB+ digital radio and end operation of the older DAB reception technology. The switchover is being made in anticipation of the FM switch-off: If things go as planned, all Swiss radio stations will gradually switch from FM to DAB+ from 2020.
More and better reception of DAB+
Currently, 91 programs from SRG and private radio stations are available via DAB+ in Switzerland, with different numbers depending on the language region. And radio listeners can already receive all SRG programs in their respective language region on DAB+, but not all those of the other language regions. This is where SRG is improving its offering: from November 15, 2016, it will also broadcast Radio SRF 3, Couleur 3 and Rete Tre throughout Switzerland on DAB+. Thus, from mid-November, a total of seven SRG radio stations will be available nationwide via DAB+. In addition, the broadcast area of the SRF regional journals will be expanded.
Ending the parallel operation of DAB and DAB+
Since fall 2012, SRG has broadcast nine digital radio stations via both DAB and DAB+. SRG will discontinue this parallel operation as of November 15, 2016, and use the technical resources thus freed up for the expansion mentioned above. Retrofitting older devices from DAB to DAB+ It is estimated that one to two percent of radios in Switzerland are still in operation with the older DAB reception technology. Owners of such radios are advised to seek advice from specialist dealers at an early stage - individual DAB models can be upgraded to DAB+. There are no problems with FM reception, which is still available for the time being: Because DAB radios are also FM receivers, they can continue to be used for analog reception.
