Digitalization of Norwegian TV and Radio Is Completed

Digitalization of Norwegian TV and radio is completed

Norwegian TV and radio became fully digital when Norkring, a Telenor owned company, today completed the national Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) network.

The Norwegian Minster of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland, marked the completion at the Knappefjell transmitter, near Bergen earlier this morning. Norkring has been building the world's most comprehensive radio broadcasting network over the last two years.

Delivered on time, on budget and with agreed quality

“The new DAB network has been delivered on time, on budget and with the agreed quality; it is exactly what the Norwegian Parliament requested,” said Minister of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland, as she brought the 759th DAB transmitter in Norway into operation. Following on from FM, the DAB network will take over as the radio network of the future in Norway. Digital TV signals have been available to everyone in Norway since 2009. Radio is now following suit, with Knappefjell being the last transmitter to be brought into operation in the standard DAB network. The price tag for the DAB development is NOK 1 billion. Some 99.5% of the Norwegian population now have access to DAB, which was the requirement set by the Norwegian Parliament. “Norway is a pioneer when it comes to the digitalisation of radio media. The DAB networks in Norway are the most comprehensive in the world, built in a country with very difficult topography. The Knappefjell transmitter becoming operational concludes another chapter in the history of the nation's infrastructure. Norway is now fully digital,” says Minister of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland.

DAB network

Norkring spent around two years on the actual construction of the DAB network, although the planning of the network took longer. “Engineering expertise, sound employee know-how, good logistics and stable suppliers have made the DAB development quick and effective, despite the fact that we have a challenging climate and topography. During the most hectic periods, we were commissioning 100 transmitters per quarter,” says Norkring CEO Torbjørn Ødegård Teigen. “Norkring will continue to test and adjust the DAB network to provide the best possible listener experience,” says Teigen. Norkring designs, builds and operates terrestrial networks for TV (DTT) and radio (DAB and FM). Norkring is a leading figure in the market with unique expertise in the fields of management, media networks and broadcasting. The company has offices in Norway and Belgium and has a total of 150 employees. Norkring is owned by Telenor Broadcast Holding. www.norkring.no Contact: Jørgen Thaule Communications Director Telenor Broadcast Mobile: 915 59 607

Telenor Group is one of the world's major mobile operators. We keep our customers connected in our markets across Scandinavia and Asia. Our more than 30,000 employees are committed to responsible business conduct and being our customers' favourite partner in digital life. Connecting the world has been Telenor's domain for more than 160 years, and we are driven by a singular vision: to empower societies.