Switzerland is the latest nation planning to cease FM broadcasting. According to a missive from the country’s Federal Office of Communications, radio stations will no longer be available on FM wavelengths after 2024. Any FM radio licenses that expire in December 2019 will be extended through the end of 2024, with the option to take a shorter period. OFCOM said it will explore whether to allow an exemption for individual FM transmitters to remain past 2024 for a limited time in regions with less complete DAB+ coverage.
The Digital Migration Working Group set 2024 as the latest date for phasing out FM broadcasts back in December 2014. Since then, digital radio has been growing in Switzerland. Two-thirds of the country’s radio use is already digital, reaching 65% in spring 2019. DAB+ sets and FM radio had the same shares with 35%.
Norway was the first country to transition from FM radio broadcasting almost completely to digital. It officially began the process in January 2017.