Digital radio: 200 tunnels to be converted

The Federal Roads Office (Astra) is equipping a total of around 200 tunnels with DAB+ from a length of 300 meters. For shorter structures, this is not necessary in terms of transmission technology. The expansion program is to be completed by the end of 2018. Tunnels where major maintenance work is due in the next few years are excluded from this. New tunnels have already been equipped with DAB+ technology as standard for some time.

Safety element

Good radio reception in road tunnels not only serves the comfort of travelers, but also safety. As with the familiar FM radio systems, the emergency services can also interrupt the respective programs for traffic and safety messages in the event of an incident with DAB+ technology. This is an important element of tunnel safety. FM reception in national road tunnels will therefore remain guaranteed until the FM transmitters are switched off by 2024 at the latest, as planned by the private radio associations and the SRG.

The equipment program is accompanied and supported by the Federal Office of Communications and the radio licensees concerned. The costs amount to around CHF 30 million. Astra is making the broadcasting infrastructure available to all licensees free of charge.

 Press release Astra