Luxembourg radios should save a new technology

The Luxembourg radiol landscape is saturated, a new technology is supposed to solve this problem. Speaks about it Cindy Bauwens, director of the Authorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l’Audivisuel (Alia), speaks on radio 100.7 on Tuesday.

Most Luxembourg radio stations are currently sending to FM (ultra -short waves). However, the FM frequencies are saturated and a new technology is necessary to ensure media pluralism in Luxembourg. Here the new technology DAB « Digital Audio Broadcasting » comes into play. DAB+, which is to be used in Luxembourg, is the latest further development of this technology. It enables several radio stations to send on the same frequency and thus create a multiplex of radio stations in Luxembourg, said Bauwens.

First phase of the DAB+ in Luxembourg

In a first phase, twelve Luxembourg radio stations will send via DAB+. The tender was carried out by the service of the Médias, de la Connectivité et de la politique Numérique (SMC) and ended on April 4. The Alia now has the task of analyzing the various applications and presenting the government. The government has the last word about which radios will send to DAB+. This analysis can be completed in three to four weeks, said Bauwens.

The candidates are checked by the Alia according to various criteria, including their informative and cultural value. But credibility and quality of the radio also play a role. « The Alia makes sure to promote media pluralism and to ensure access to high -quality and diverse information. It is important that the multiplex reflects this media pluralism, » says Bauwens.

However, the Alia director could not say anything about the applicants. Maurice Molitor of 100.7 confirmed, however, that the radio was one of the candidates.

The first phase of DAB+ should be completed by the end of the year and the twelve radio stations should send through this technology. DAB+ will be available nationwide and free of charge.

There are only a few details about a second phase. Bauwens explained, however, that the next phase would be about supporting the local radios that are often carried out by associations or volunteers so that they too can benefit from DAB+technology.