While there is no global "ban" on FM radio, several countries are phasing it out in favor of DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting).
1. Norway (The First to Switch Off)
Norway became the first country in the world to shut down national FM radio broadcasts in 2017.
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Reason: It was significantly cheaper to maintain digital signals than the analog FM infrastructure, especially in Norway's mountainous terrain.
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Current Status: While national stations are digital-only, some small local FM stations are still permitted to broadcast until 2031.
2. Switzerland (The Next Major Phase-Out)
Switzerland is currently in the middle of its transition.
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Public Broadcaster: The national broadcaster (SRG SSR) officially turned off its FM transmitters on December 31, 2024.
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Private Stations: Originally, all private FM licenses were set to expire at the end of 2026. However, as of late 2025/early 2026, there has been significant political debate, with the Swiss Parliament considering a proposal to extend FM licenses until 2031 to help private stations manage the transition.
3. Other Countries Considering a Switch
Many other nations have high DAB+ adoption but have not yet set a hard "kill date" for FM:
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United Kingdom: Over 70% of listening is digital, but the government has stated it will not switch off FM until at least 2030.
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Denmark & Italy: Both have established DAB+ networks and have discussed potential FM sunset dates, but these have often been pushed back to ensure listeners have time to upgrade their car radios and home equipment.
Why are countries doing this?
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More Channels: Digital signals allow for many more stations on the same frequency band.
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Sound Quality: DAB+ provides clearer sound without the static "hiss" of analog FM.
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Cost: Running two parallel networks (FM and Digital) is extremely expensive for