While few of us listen to actual FM radio when we’re not driving, it would be really hard to conceive of a world without it. But that may soon become a reality if what will happen in Norway in two years happens elsewhere.
On Jan. 11, 2017, many Norwegians will no longer have FM radio to listen to. The government is making the move because DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) coverage is now exceeding FM coverage there, notes Radio.no. DAB now has 22 channels, but FM only has five channels broadcasting around the country.
The Verge reports that DAB has been in Norway since 1995. The updated DAB, DAB+, was added in 2007.
Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey said in a statement last week that digital radio will “greatly improve the emergency preparedness system, facilitate increased competition and offer new opportunities for innovation and development” and will provide listeners with better audio quality.
Norway is the first country to set an FM switch-off date, although other countries in Europe and Southeast Asia are debating doing the same.
FM radio will be phased out region-by-region in Norway, with it being completely shut off by December 2017.