DAB is implemented as planned: – Glad for the outcome – NRK

I’m very happy for the outcome, not least because the discussion in the last few days has created some uncertainty. Now, it is very important that we prepare ourselves leading up to the 11.January, which is slukkedatoen for Nordland, ” says kringkasstingsjef in NRK, Thor Gjermund Eriksen.

Are you surprised by the debate that has been on DAB?

– No. I have great respect for that a teknologiskifte that this is a huge and demanding exercise. Many of us should adopt new technology and make changes in the car. But we can’t wait a teknologiskifte to absolutely everyone is convinced, therefore it is natural that there is debate about it, ” says Eriksen.

– Disappointed

And the debate has it definitely been. Both the centre party and the Progress party, has been set to postpone the planned slukkingen of FM-web, because they are concerned about emergency preparedness. At a time hesitated also the Labour party. Yesterday, it was therefore decided that the ministers should give a briefing to Parliament about the safety aspects by going over to DAB.

the centre party is on the other hand, in contrast to a majority in Parliament, not reassured of the current orientation.

– It doesn’t help that the government, with four ministers present in Parliament today, believes that the coverage and the emergency preparedness is good enough when people around the entire country, reports back to us about something completely different. People expect to be informed about important events, such as landslide, road, weather conditions in the mountains and on the sea. The radio is very important to be able to reach out with such information, ” says the head of the centre party, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.

Slukkingen of FM-net has been hotly debated in recent months. Among other things, people have been concerned over the lack of coverage and preparedness.

Photo: Karlsen, Anette / NTB scanpix

– Expensive to maintain FM-web

But kringskastingsjefen denies that that there will be many areas without coverage.

– If the audience detects an area without coverage, it is most likely something with the equipment that is incorrect, as most places now will have coverage. What you then can do is to call or chat with our DAB service or digital radio.no.

He tells that he is full of gratitude for the job that the public now do, by changing their radiovaner.

in return we will make the best radiotilbudet that the Norwegian audience has ever heard.

What would have happened if stortingspolitikerne in the day actually had decided to delay the introduction of DAB?

It had innbært that we had to maintain the FM net. What it had demanded is uncertain, as it is an old as well as, in that case, had been obliged to make investments in order to preserve. It had cost much more, not only for the NRK, but also other radio stations, to distribute the radio in the next few years. Then had less money has gone to creating content.

the Sp-leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum is disappointed that there was not a majority in Parliament to delay the slukkingen of the united nations online.

Photo: Bendiksby, Terje / NTB scanpix