Latvia, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

Latvian Radio will be able to test the digital radio technology in collaboration with the Latvian State Radio and Television Center over a period of one year. The National Electronic Mass Media Council has decided not to offer the opportunity to commercial broadcasters during that time.

"Since several European countries are currently in various stages of transition to digital audio broadcasting (DAB and DAB+), Latvia needs to identify the benefits this technology could provide to society. They might include lower broadcasting costs and better signal quality across Latvia. But before taking any further decisions about the digital radio, this technology has to be tested. This is what independent experts recommend," said Aija Dulevska, chairperson of the National Electronic Mass Media Council.

Digital audio broadcasting is currently in use alongside analogue radio in more than 20 countries of the world, with the number of DAB and DAB+ users on the rise in countries like Denmark, Norway, German, Belgium and Switzerland.

Lithuania and Estonia, however, decided not to switch to DAB and DAB+ after testing the technology.