Montenegro is preparing to expand digital radio broadcasting beyond its current trial phase, opening a new market for transmission equipment, network engineering and digital media infrastructure.
The government on Sept. 24 approved a draft Digital Broadcasting Law establishing the legal basis for development of a national T-DAB+ multiplex and wider digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Montenegro has already been testing DAB+ around Podgorica since May, with the pilot network covering about 32% of the population.
The new legislation could move the technology from experiment towards commercial-scale deployment.
That would create demand for digital transmitters, multiplexing systems, encoders, antennas, network monitoring, studio integration and technical maintenance.
DAB+ allows multiple radio stations to share digital transmission infrastructure, potentially lowering distribution costs once sufficient coverage and receiver adoption are achieved.
It also allows broadcasters to offer additional services such as programme information, graphics and emergency messages alongside conventional audio.
For Montenegro’s broadcasters, however, the transition will require investment.
Studios must be connected to the multiplex, technical equipment may need upgrading and broadcasters will have to manage analogue FM and digital distribution simultaneously during what could be a lengthy transition period.
The commercial opportunity could therefore extend beyond initial network construction.
Digital broadcasting infrastructure requires continuous monitoring, software updates, maintenance and capacity management, creating recurring work for specialist engineering companies.
Receiver penetration will be another key factor.
DAB+ creates limited commercial value if households and vehicles cannot receive the signal, meaning adoption will depend partly on the growing number of newer cars and consumer radios already equipped with digital receivers.
Montenegro’s small market could make national rollout relatively manageable because a limited number of transmitter locations can cover much of the population.
The main question will be how quickly coverage expands and how multiplex capacity is priced for broadcasters.
The Sept. 24 decision provides the regulatory starting point.
For technology suppliers and broadcast engineers, Montenegro’s radio market is moving from a local DAB+ trial towards a potential national infrastructure programme.
