Norwegian broadcast network operator Norkring has chosen Harris transmitters to support the country’s analog-to-digital radio broadcast transition.

According to the multimillion dollar Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio contract, Harris will supply hundreds of broadcast transmitters to Norkring over the next three years, supporting the world’s largest DAB digital radio network to date.

Norkring will manage the first two deployment phases, based exclusively on Harris Platinum VAX VHF transmitters said the company. Harris will deliver transmitters ranging from 50 W to 5 kW, with the Harris’ PowerSmart transmitter architecture significantly reducing energy consumption.

“This project is on a scale never seen before. We must ensure that by Jan. 1, 2015, almost all of our population is connected to the DAB digital radio network,” said Torbjørn Ø. Teigenfrom, CEO of Norkring. “Harris provides a wide range of transmitter models covering all our requirements within the same product family, with customized setup to reduce installation time and provide a smaller footprint.”

Norway intends to cease FM radio broadcasts in 2017, becoming the first country to plan a complete switch-off of all analog FM services. After this date, the country will use DAB for all audio transmissions, including disaster and emergency services.

Upon completion of phase three, approximately 1,000 radio broadcast transmitters and a similar number of road tunnel transmitters will have been installed across Norway. The network extends over more than 1,500 miles from Lindesnes in the south to the North Cape in the north of Norway.