HD Radio™ Broadcasting Around the World

HD Radio Technology is being tested and adopted in more than a dozen countries throughout the world, due in large part to its ability to deliver digital quality sound and services while leveraging existing analog spectrum. There are more stations broadcasting today with HD Radio Technology around the world than DAB or DRM. Countries with HD Radio operations include:

Bangladesh – On January 1 2012, Dhaka FM 90.4 became the first station in the country to commence HD Radio broadcasts.

Brazil – Since the first HD Radio station went on in September, 2005, about 25 stations in Brazil have converted to the technology covering an area of 30 million people. Brazil’s Ministry of Communications is currently evaluating formal authorization of digital radio operations in the country.

China – The first HD Radio test station in China commenced broadcasting in late February 2008 in Beijing. A multi-phase test program was executed by the State Administration of Radio, Film & Television (SARFT) throughout 2008 and 2009.

Dominican Republic – Raíces FM initiated the first FM HD Radio operations in the country in late 2008. Two more stations have since begun regular digital broadcasts. INDOTEL, the national spectrum regulator, has announced that any station can use HD Radio technology on a provisional basis, and plans to announce an official national standard in the near future.

Jamaica – Radio Jamaica (RJR) began operating full time with both HD Radio AM and FM signals in the city of Kingston in 2008.

Mexico – In June 2011, COFETEL, Mexico’s spectrum regulating agency, finalized the regulatory process selecting HD Radio Technology as a digital radio standard for the AM and FM bands in Mexico. About 20 stations are currently broadcasting or in the process of converting using HD Radio Technology.

Panama – HD Radio on-air testing/demonstrations started in late 2008 and Panama’s President signed a bill into law on 12 May 2009 making the HD Radio system the official (and only) digital radio standard in that country. Antena8 100.1 is already operating in Panama City, with several more stations preparing to convert to digital broadcasting.

Philippines – The first HD Radio station in the Philippines began broadcasting on November 9, 2005. The Philippines National Telecommunications Commission finalized its rules for FM digital radio operations on November 11, 2007. About 10 HD Radio stations are currently operating.

Romania – An on-air HD Radio technology demonstration with multicast was held in Baia Mare, Romania on 23-24 October 2008 featuring broadcasters and regulators, on an FM station owned by 2M Prima Telecom. In June 2010, Radio Guerrilla 94.8 in Bucharest launched HD Radio Technology. In January 2012, Rock FM 100.6 in Bucharest began broadcasting four digital programs.

Thailand – In March 2006, an HD Radio system was installed for a public radio network targeting mass transit commuters in Bangkok by installing HD Radio receivers in public buses.

Ukraine – The first FM HD Radio broadcasts in Kiev went on the air in October 2006 on two FM stations operated by the First Ukrainian Radio Group.

United States – Available to more than 85 percent of the listeners, more than 2,000 HD Radio stations currently on the air; more than 1,300 new multicast channels available; an array of the HD Radio receivers available at mass merchant retailers. To learn more about HD Radio operations in the US click here.

In addition, the technology has been successfully tested and trialed in other countries around the world, including:

Argentina – AM HD Radio technology was tested in 2004 with initial trials in Buenos Aires. Further testing of the technology was conducted in early 2007.

Bosnia – Trial and tests of HD Radio technology began in Sarajevo in March 2007.

Canada – The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) began HD Radio testing in September 2006, focusing on transmissions from Toronto and Peterborough, Ontario. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has since revised its policy on digital radio to allow HD Radio operations pursuant to Public Notice CRTC 2006-160.

Colombia – Caracol Radio conducted tests of FM HD Radio technology in 2008-09 in Bogota.

Czech Republic – Initial testing of the HD Radio system commenced in Prague in February 2007.

Germany – Radio Regenbogen began HD Radio operations on 102.8 MHz in Heidelberg on December 3, 2007 pursuant to government testing authority and operated through 2008.

Extensive reports were submitted to the German regulatory agency for further consideration.

Indonesia – Both MW-AM and VHF-FM have been tested in Jakarta and Surabaya respectively. The MW-AM station is a fully operating religious broadcast network; the VHF-FM station was part of HD Radio trials in Jakarta.

New Zealand – Following successful testing on 106.1 MHz from the Skytower in Auckland, the Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA) initiated a comprehensive trial of HD Radio technology in December 2006. The aim of the trial was to assess the coverage potential of the HD Radio system and to make a recommendation on the suitability of the technology for adoption.

Poland – An HD Radio trial began in Warsaw in 2006 in order to demonstrate the technology to local radio stations.

Switzerland – VHF testing sponsored by Radio Sunshine and Ruoss AG began in Lucerne in April 2006 and operated through 2011.

Vietnam – Voice of Vietnam (VOV) commenced AM and FM HD Radio transmissions in Hanoi in June, 2008 including multicasting, in anticipation of making HD Radio technology a standard. In February, 2009, a joint trial with VOV and the Asia Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU) took place in Hanoi. Trial operations continue in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).