Ràdio 4, the first station in Catalan to start broadcasting on DAB+

National Radio has started broadcasting Ràdio 4 on DAB+ from the broadcasting center Cellnex in Collserola, from where coverage is provided in the metropolitan area of ​​Barcelona, ​​thus becoming the only station in Catalonia in Catalan that begins legal broadcasts in digital format.

Coinciding with the year in which the centenary of radio is celebrated in Spain, RNE has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard as a long-term substitute for FM.

Coinciding with the start of these broadcasts on DAB+, Angel Garcia Castillejo, director of Audiovisual Policies, Public and International Service of RTVE, highlights that "it represents a true milestone of consolidation of free-to-air radio, of radio for everyone and a commitment to the future based on our 100 years of history. We hope that in this process we will find all the actors in the sector, both public and private."

For his part, the director of RTVE Catalonia, Steve Crespo, highlights that "we are the first, and we hope that it encourages other radio stations in Catalonia. Because just as progress was made in technological innovation and quality in digital terrestrial television, DTT, it must also be done decisively with digital audio."

On the other hand, the director of Ràdio 4, Pere Buhigas, highlights that "being on DAB+ means consolidating the presence of Radio 4 in the first division of radio in Catalonia. With this step, all RNE stations now broadcast with this technology that will provide better broadcast quality and experience for the listener."

The transition process to DAB+ requires, according to García Castillejo, a new National Technical Plan for Digital Radio that "guarantees stability, viability and sustainability for the entire radio sector. And it is essential that, on the one hand, it be accompanied by the support of public administrations through an effective fight against piracy. And on the other, with lines of support for the digitalization of the radio sector and the energy savings that this entails."