Develop, Regulate and Switch-Off: Policies for a Digital Radio Landscape in Europe

This article examines the transition from analogue (FM) to digital radio (DAB+) in Europe, focusing on policy frameworks designed to address coordination problems that impede DAB+ market development. Furthermore, it analyses the regulatory implications of multiplex licensing, and elaborates on the social and economic complexities of a potential FM switch-off. It argues that successful digital radio development requires strong, government-led intervention and highlights radio’s continued importance as resilient critical infrastructure within the digital media landscape. Finally, the article questions DAB+’s status as the future standard for digital radio and challenges the necessity of quickly phasing out FM broadcasting.