Worldwide, over 475 million people can now receive almost 1,000 different digital radio services. Commercial digital receivers have been on the market since summer 1998 and there are now hundreds of different receivers available in the €30 to €90 price range.

Digital radio has developed significantly over the past ten years across the main EU Member States. It is widely available in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

The main drivers of digital radio in the coming two years will be Ireland, Australia, Germany and the United States. Australia have adopted the DAB+ system of digital broadcasting and launch in all major cities in 2009. Germany, which has excellent DAB coverage, will drive take-up with brand new digital only services next year. Meanwhile, American broadcasters have opted for a digital broadcast system called HD and new digital stations are being launched almost weekly.

Some countries have even begun asking about the eventual turn-off of FM. In Norway, the regulator is considering a turn off of FM sometime after 2014 and the UK regulator will consider the question in 2012.