Norway chooses 2wcom for DAB network
December 2, 2013
Norway’s new national DAB radio network is being built with DAB+ technology from 2wcom in a major project to ready the country for its FM switch-off in 2017. 2wcom’s FlexNsert DAB+ Distribution Inserter and FlexXtract DAB+ Distribution Extractor will be deployed in the network’s satellite headend system, in what is believed to be the world’s first to provide DAB radio via standardised IP delivery over Ku-band satellite payload.
The new network will be used by Norway’s national broadcaster NRK, with nationwide coverage achieved by landline connections to the network’s main transmission sites, complemented by satellite distribution to 400 outlying transmitters reaching remoter communities.
“This major infrastructure project is ground-breaking in its use of IP over Ku-band, and because of that, it has been especially rewarding to work on,” said Werner Drews, managing director of 2wcom. “Norway’s rugged terrain and population spread presents serious challenges to anyone building a broadcast network, but Norkring’s solution for NRK means that the entire population will have a top-quality DAB service when FM transmissions cease.”