International. While in Latin America the digitization of radio is a topic that is little talked about, this week has surprised the news that Norway set for 2017 the goal of having a 100% digital radio, making the transition in a period of six years.
Norway implemented the DAB system, which highlighted the country's Minister of Culture, Thorhild Widvey, can be up to eight times cheaper than the current radio system because they will not have the need to broadcast on two platforms. In addition, it allows to have at disposal a greater number of stations with more functions and greater sound quality.
The digitization of radio began in 2011, when the Norwegian parliament decided to begin the process of digitizing the country's radio, highlighting that the new technology allows the communication of messages to be effectively communicated in times of emergency because it is less vulnerable to transmission failures in extreme situations and a greater number of national stations, compared to the current FM.
Other countries in Europe and Asia are closely following Norway's digital radio transition process. In Latin America, Mexico and Brazil are the countries that have advanced a process of radio digitization. But it is a long way from reaching 100%.
Thorhild Widvey indicated that if there are problems in the plan, the blackout would be postponed until 2019.
