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The future of radio: DAB+ revolution in Schleswig-Holstein starts now!
Deutschlandradio is pushing ahead with the switch to DAB+ in Rhineland-Palatinate in 2025 to promote the digitalization of radio.
The future of radio: DAB+ revolution in Schleswig-Holstein starts now!
Deutschlandradio is intensifying the digitalization of radio and is planning to expand the DAB+ network with numerous new transmitters in 2025. The modernization will take place in several phases and in places where DAB+ can already be received well. In Schleswig-Holstein, the switch from FM to DAB+ will be completed in the near future, while the first new DAB+ locations will go into operation on June 30th and July 1st in Bredstedt, Garding and Itzehoe in Schleswig-Holstein. A new transmitter will also be added in Niederschöna (Freiberg, Saxony) in the summer and further commissioning is planned in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia in the fall. By the end of the year, DAB+ broadcast network coverage will increase to a total of 182 locations, meaning a reach of 77.7 million residents and covering over 91% of the population.
Deutschlandradio director Rainer Kampmann emphasized that the goal was to reduce the parallel operation of FM and DAB+. The parallel distribution of Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandfunk Kultur via both platforms will be discontinued in regions with good DAB+ reception on June 30, 2024. From this date, the VHF broadcasting networks in Garding, Heide, Itzehoe and Westerland, among others, will be switched off. The change also affects other regions, including Bavaria and Saxony, where the FM broadcast of Deutschlandfunk Kultur will also be discontinued at the same time.
The advantages of DAB+
DAB+ offers a clear advantage over conventional FM technology as it not only delivers higher sound quality, but also offers numerous additional services and is more economical in power consumption. Reception is independent of an internet connection and does not require any data volume. All DAB+ radios are also equipped with an FM receiver so that users can continue to receive their usual programs.
At a time when digitalization is increasingly coming to the fore, Deutschlandradio is carrying out targeted marketing and communication measures to inform the public about the switch to DAB+. Regional specialist dealers are also available to clarify questions. Public events and the so-called “Digital Radio Days” are planned to publicize the advantages of DAB+ and the new variety of programs.
Future of the DAB+ network
With the planned changes, the DAB+ network will be able to offer an excellent area coverage for mobile reception of over 97% by mid-2025, while highway coverage will even reach over 99%. This not only means a change in technology, but also a significant improvement in the reception quality for listeners in Germany. The switch from FM to DAB+ heralds a new era of radio, in which a wide variety of programs is offered, which is important not only for the classic radio lover, but also for the digital generation. The emphasis on DAB+ demonstrates Germany's comprehensive strategies to promote digital media services and the industry's response to people's demands for high quality, accessible and sustainable radio.