Harris Corporation has received a multi-million dollar Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio contract from Norwegian broadcast network operator Norkring that will support the country’s analogue-to-digital radio broadcast transition. Harris will supply hundreds of broadcast transmitters to Norkring over the next three years, supporting the world’s largest DAB digital radio network to date.
Norway intends to cease FM radio broadcasts in 2017, becoming the first country to plan a complete switch-off of all analog FM services. After this date, the country will use DAB digital radio technology for all audio transmissions, including disaster and emergency services.
The company will manage the first two deployment phases, based exclusively on Harris® Platinum VAX VHF transmitters. Harris will deliver transmitters ranging from 50W to 5000W, with the Harris’ PowerSmart transmitter architecture significantly reducing energy consumption.
“This project is on a scale never seen before — we must ensure that by January 1, 2015, almost all of our population is connected to the DAB digital radio network,’ said Torbjørn Ø. Teigenfrom, CEO of Norkring. “Harris provides a wide range of transmitter models covering all our requirements within the same product family, with customized setup to reduce installation time and provide a smaller footprint.’
Upon completion of phase three, approximately 1000 radio broadcast transmitters and a similar number of road tunnel transmitters will have been installed across Norway. The network extends over more than 2500 kilometers from Lindesnes in the south to the North Cape in the north of Norway.
“Norway’s groundbreaking plan represents the power and capabilities that digital radio can provide for national communications,’ said Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. “Harris’ experience in large-scale transmission deployments will help Norkring roll out its network with speed and consistency as it prepares for the analogue sunset.’
