Norway became the first country to switch off its nationwide FM radio network and convert completely to digital signals.
The Norwegian government decided to make the transition in part because digital radio can provide many more channels for the same price — eight times as many, to be precise.
Supporters of the switch also say digital radio will sound clearer than FM, or frequency modulation, and that the signal will be clearer in places where fjords and mountains interfere with FM signals.
The CEO of Digital radio Norway says the country’s FM network is antiquated and would need massive investment to maintain — so, to allow investment in digital radio, the FM network needs to be shut down.
Reuters reports that the shutdown of FM signals will begin in the northern city of Bodo, and extend across the country by the end of the year.
