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Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced the country’s transition to DAB+ technology. Speaking at the DAB+ Launch Ceremony on World Radio Day, Feb. 13, Uraloğlu said DAB+ eliminates interference, enhances sound clarity and increases frequency efficiency by enabling multiple radio channels on a single frequency.
“With no available FM frequencies in Istanbul, the introduction of DAB+ has resolved this issue. This technology will allow us to provide 448 new frequencies based on demand,” he said.
A new era for Turkish radio
Uraloğlu highlighted radio’s enduring impact, recalling Turkey’s first broadcast in 1927. “Radio has accompanied us in our homes, workplaces and travels for nearly a century. It started as an entertainment medium but evolved to play a key role in culture, arts and national awareness.”
He also referenced radio’s power in shaping public discourse, citing an instance where veteran radio host Mehmet Akbay, known as Gezegen Mehmet, rallied support for then-imprisoned Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 1999.
DAB+ offers a significant technological upgrade over analog FM, Uraloğlu said, delivering clearer audio while optimizing spectrum use. “Beyond sound quality, DAB+ enriches the listening experience with additional content such as text, images and live traffic updates. It also supports sustainability by reducing energy consumption. A single DAB+ transmitter can carry 16 channels using just 12.2 kW, compared to FM’s 128 kW for the same number of channels, cutting energy use by 90% and lowering carbon emissions.”
Strategic deployment at Çamlıca Tower
The transition to DAB+ was launched at Istanbul’s Çamlıca Tower, which opened in 2018 and has consolidated 100 FM transmissions into a single location. Uraloğlu noted the tower’s role in improving electromagnetic safety, reducing radiation levels 15-fold in the surrounding area.
“DAB+ is not just a technological shift but a transformation in media accessibility. It paves the way for interactive and educational radio services while offering potential defense communications applications,” he said.
Twelve public and private radio stations have already begun broadcasting via DAB+, with more expected to join following the launch event. “Listeners will experience crystal-clear sound, and broadcasters can operate more efficiently. We are witnessing a milestone in Turkey’s broadcasting history,” Uraloğlu said.
Image: Freepik
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