Aeranti-Corallo, which represents about 400 Italian local radio stations, has asked Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso to extend an exemption from administrative fees and radio spectrum charges for DAB+ network operators. The association wants the five-year extension included in Italy’s 2027 Budget Law.
DAB+ network operators build and operate the terrestrial transmission infrastructure that carries multiple digital radio services. The current exemption, established under Article 50 of Italy’s Consolidated Law on Audiovisual and Radio Media Services, was intended to support the launch of terrestrial digital radio.
Aeranti-Corallo argues that the launch phase remains incomplete because the rollout has not met either of the criteria covering network coverage and DAB+ receiver distribution in Italian communications regulator AGCOM’s Resolution No. 664/09/CONS. The association says introducing the fees now would add financial pressure while operators continue investing in infrastructure.
“Aeranti-Corallo has requested a five-year extension of the exemption from radio spectrum usage contributions and administrative fees,” Coordinator Marco Rossignoli said. “This will allow us to complete the DAB+ rollout and enable operators to dedicate their resources to network development and service quality.”
Rossignoli described the extension as necessary to avoid imposing additional costs during a phase still requiring significant infrastructure investment. He said operators also need time to consolidate Italy’s digital radio market.
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