Lithuania prepares to introduce digital radio

Lithuania is moving forward with plans to adopt DAB+ digital radio, aiming to improve broadcast coverage and audio quality, the Transport and Communications Ministry announced Tuesday.

The country remains one of the last in the EU still relying solely on analog FM transmissions. The shift to digital will enhance sound clarity, reduce power consumption, and allow more efficient emergency alerts, officials said.

Transport Minister Juras Taminskas noted persistent issues with FM reception, particularly in remote areas. “There are still situations where radio signals drop out while driving, or station selection becomes limited. We want consistent, high-quality audio everywhere with more content options,” he said.

Jacqueline Bierhorst, president of the digital radio organization WorldDAB, emphasized that DAB+ eliminates regional disparities by providing uniform coverage without interference. The technology also enables up to 18 stations per frequency—compared to one on FM—while cutting electricity use.

Remigijus Šeris, head of Lithuania’s broadcast infrastructure provider Telecentras, stated the transition would proceed under terms acceptable to broadcasters. “We’re in dialogue with radio stations and understand their cautious approach to change,” he said.

All new cars sold in the EU have been required to include DAB+ receivers since 2020. Lithuania expects around 177,000 vehicles equipped with the technology on its roads by 2030.

The original DAB standard was introduced in the EU in 1995, later upgraded to the more advanced DAB+.