Norway sets January 11 as digital radio transition date

Norway flagAfter years of preparation and planning, Norway is slated to begin its total transition to digital radio on January 11. The country’s remaining FM stations will be shut down region by region starting at 11:11 AM. Several other European nations have also made more tentative plans to end FM broadcasts in favor of all-digital radio, but Norway will be the first to make the change.

Norway has DAB coverage as thorough as its FM territory. Local radio stations outside the nation’s main cities will continue their FM broadcasting. Norwegian listeners have voiced resistance to the change, with a last-minute attempt to postpone the transition falling through in parliament.

Anna Washenko