On December 31, the FM frequencies of SSR stations will be deactivated. They will then only be accessible via DAB+ and the Internet. Older cars will need to be fitted with adapters. The Galaxus platform is experiencing delivery problems.
Bruno Knellwolf / ch media
From 1is January, old cars will be silent. After 75 years of existence, the SSR definitively ceases to use its FM frequencies. Those who still have a traditional radio in their car will therefore no longer be able to receive RTS stations.
A large proportion of motorists will be de facto impacted, because the SRR holds 60% market share in Switzerland. The shutdown of private radios will follow at the end of 2026, at which point older cars will no longer receive a radio signal at all. Unless the owners have equipped their vehicles.
In Switzerland, 1.8 million cars are affected, according to Marco Wölfli of TCS. “This corresponds to approximately 38% of the vehicle fleet.” As new cars must be equipped with a DAB+ radio since December 21, 2020, the number of cars without DAB+ is logically continuing to decrease. Additionally, car manufacturers had already started installing DAB+ radios in their new vehicles years before.
Replace the radio or plug in an adapter
However, one in three cars no longer has access to the radio, this represents a significant change. Those who do not have DAB reception and still want to listen to the radio have several options.
“You can either change the car radio, which is expensive and complicated, or use an adapter”
Marco Wölfli, TCS
To install a new DAB+ device, you must call a mechanic. But for the adapter, you can do it yourself, with a little help. Cars equipped with an auxiliary jack on the radio or in the center console are the easiest to equip. The adapter can be connected there. If this auxiliary socket is missing, a DAB+ receiver is required, which transmits the radio program to the car radio using an integrated FM transmitter.
TCS compared four adapters. “The test showed that DAB+ reception works well with all four devices,” explains Wölfli. However, the sound and stability are significantly better when the car is equipped with an auxiliary input.
Be careful when using your smartphone
Another idea will quickly have supplanted these DIYs for those who are used to listening to a podcast or their favorite Spotify playlist in the car: using your phone to play the radio. If the car has a Bluetooth or wired connection, the solution does not require any additional adaptation.
And be careful while driving!Image: KEYSTONE
But caution is required, because this solution consumes data, particularly abroad. According to TCS, one hour of listening to the radio with the smartphone consumes 60 megabytes of data.
More adapters from Galaxus
The rush for adapters has been significant for months. The online sales platform Galaxus is facing delivery problems. “We are only restocked in small quantities,” explains company representative Martin Baumann.
“Our buyers should only expect better availability of these products from February onwards”
According to him, the demand is enormous throughout Europe. The case of Switzerland is similar to that of Norway, where FM radio has been deactivated. Demand is also strong in Germany. In France, extinction will not occur until 2033.
Fixed positions also affected
The problem does not only concern car radios. Conventional portable or fixed radios are also affected. If you used to turn on your good old radio while cooking, you will need to buy a new device or an adapter.
As a result, the sale of non-vehicle DAB+ devices has also increased significantly. In November 2024, online retailer Galaxus recorded an increase of 273% compared to the previous year.
Translated and adapted by Noëline Flippe
