The Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy confirmed on Friday that it has selected which 12 radio stations will join the initial DAB+ digital radio rollout in the country, and confirmed that broadcasts will begin within six months – five years after the idea was first announced.

The Luxembourg government started looking into setting up a DAB+ digital radio broadcasting network in the country in 2020, announcing its report would be ready in 2021.

The report was published a year late, in 2022, calling for a study into which radio stations to include in the new system, and what to do about smaller local stations. The DAB+ system is expected to work alongside existing FM transmissions. There is little bandwidth available to add more FM stations.

The Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy opened the application process for those interested in broadcasting on DAB+ in February 2025.

Following an evaluation process of the applications received, and based on the opinion of the Luxembourg Independent Audiovisual Authority (Alia), the department confirmed on Friday that 12 radio stations will join the first national DAB+ radio service in Luxembourg.

The 12 include Mediahuis Luxembourg’s Radio Latina, Radio ARA, RTL Today, 100,7, L’Essentiel, Radio Crooner, Eldoradio, LOR’FM, Nostalgia Luxembourg, Opus, RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg and RTL Germany Hit Radio.

All cars sold across the EU have been required to have DAB+ compatible radios since 2020. In 2017, Norway became the first country to start turning off FM radio broadcasts, as DAB+ coverage exceeded 99% of its population. 29 European countries already offer DAB+ digital radio.

The establishment and management of the DAB+ multiplex was awarded to Broadcasting Center Europe SA on 3 June, and broadcasting must begin within no more than six months.

“The introduction of DAB+ and the arrival of new radio stations mark an important step for the Luxembourg radio landscape,” Elisabeth Margue, minister delegate to the prime minister for media and connectivity, said in a press release. “This progress will contribute to strengthening media pluralism in our country, with DAB+ deployment planned before the end of the year.”