In a world first, Norway is starting to switch off FM radio today - even though most citizens are dead against it
But there's just one problem - the majority of Norwegians are dead against the plans.
"The main reason behind this big technological change is that we want to offer a better radio service to the entire population," Ole Jorgen Tormark, head of Digitalradio Norge, said (via The Guardian).
The country is heavily mountainous, making it difficult to ensure its 5 million citizens can get an analogue signal. Instead, it will switch to digital audio broadcasting (DAB), which offers more stations and better coverage.
However, many people aren't happy about the change. According to AFP, a poll found that 66% of Norwegians are against the shutdown, and just 17% support it.
Only a third of cars in the country have DAB radios, AFP reported, meaning the majority of vehicle owners face potentially costly upgrades if they want to be able to keep listening on the move. There are reportedly 15 million FM radios in Norway, all of which will become obsolete.
The shut-down is rolling out in phases. At 11.11 AM local time (10.11 AM GMT), Nordland, a county in the north of the country, switched off. All of Norway will have stopped using the analogue broadcasting method by the end of the year.
Norway may be first, but other countries are also eyeing up a switch. The UK plans to make the jump after DAB is responsible for 50% of all listening, and its coverage is similar to FM, according to the BBC - a milestone which might be reached in 2018.
- Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
- I tutor the children of some of Dubai's richest people. One of them paid me $3,000 to do his homework.
- India not benefiting from democratic dividend; young have a Kohli mentality, says Raghuram Rajan
- Indo-Gangetic Plains, home to half the Indian population, to soon become hotspot of extreme climate events: study
- 7 Vegetables you shouldn’t peel before eating to get the most nutrients
- Gut check: 10 High-fiber foods to add to your diet to support digestive balance
- 10 Foods that can harm Your bone and joint health
- 6 Lesser-known places to visit near Mussoorie