Norway Plans to do Away With FM Broadcasting Format Entirely

Norway will shut down FM radio in the country beginning in 2017. The Norwegian Ministry of Culture finalized a shift date this week, making it the first country to do away with FM radio entirely. The country plans to transition to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) as a national standard.

A statement released this week by the Ministry of Culture confirms a switch-off date that was proposed by the Norwegian government back in 2011. The government has concluded that the country is capable of meeting all the requirements necessary for a smooth transition to digital.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the FM format is 8 times more expensive than DAB format. DAB currently offers 22 national channels as opposed to FM's five, and has the capacity to host almost 20 more.

Several other countries in Europe and Southeast Asia are also considering a national move to DAB, but no other country has confirmed a timeline, Radio.no reports.

Norway's FM shutdown will begin on January 11th, 2017.