Kenya has switched on its first trial of Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) in Nairobi, marking the country’s initial operational test of a technology regulators say, is necessary to resolve long-standing congestion in the FM radio frequency band.
The pilot, activated to coincide with World Radio Day 2026 on Friday last week, represents the first time digital radio signals are being transmitted to the public in Kenya under a formal regulatory framework developed over several years.
Radio broadcasting remains Kenya’s most pervasive mass media platform, reaching an estimated 98 percent of households and supporting more than 300 licensed radio services across national, regional, commercial, religious, and community categories.
But despite its reach, the FM broadcasting system is facing structural limitations, with available frequencies in the FM broadcast range of 87.5 to 108.0 MHz fully assigned in major urban coverage areas.
Last Friday, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) said the activation of the DSB signal marks a key milestone for both broadcasters and investors in the local market, who stand to gain from wider coverage and new revenue opportunities.
“The CA has facilitated the activation of Kenya’s first trial DSB for radio services in Nairobi, marking a major step towards the future of radio,” wrote the regulator in a statement.
“Broadcasters and investors stand to gain from wider coverage, lower barriers to entry, and new revenue opportunities. By separating content provision from signal distribution, broadcasters can focus on compelling content to serve the diverse needs of consumers.”
Frequency saturation has left the regulator unable to license new FM stations in cities such as Nairobi, with increased congestion raising interference risks and constraining improvements in audio quality.
The DSB technology addresses these limitations by converting analogue audio into compressed digital data streams that can be transmitted far more efficiently over the available radio spectrum.
Instead of assigning a single frequency to each station, digital radio groups multiple programme services into a single digital multiplex transmitted on one frequency block. Multiplexing is a technique in data communication that combines multiple analog or digital signals into a single, shared transmission medium to maximise bandwidth usage.
The capability allows one digital channel to carry many radio services simultaneously, multiplying spectrum capacity without requiring additional frequency allocations from an already exhausted band.
Kenya’s framework prioritises Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus, known as DAB+, operating in the FM range of 174 to 230 MHz, which is less congested than the traditional FM band.
Last month, Mast Rental Services Limited became the first operator to activate a DAB+ trial network and is currently transmitting 14 radio programmes within the Nairobi coverage area. Under analogue FM conditions, accommodating 14 stations would require 14 distinct frequencies, highlighting the efficiency gains delivered by digital multiplexing.
The digital signal is distributed through shared transmission infrastructure, separating signal carriage from content provision in a structural change that alters how radio broadcasting is organised and licensed.
The regulator says the model creates space for smaller broadcasters, including community and niche stations, by offering reserved capacity at nominal carriage costs.
“The ability to carry multiple services on a single channel is expected to lower transmission costs and create space for new entrants, including community broadcasters, by providing reserved capacity at nominal carriage costs,” said the CA.
“For consumers, digital radio will mean clearer sound, reduced harmful interference, and a wider choice of programming. Listeners will benefit from increased content diversity, including niche, regional, and thematic services.”
The Authority has stated that digital radio will initially complement existing FM services, ensuring continuity for listeners during a gradual transition period.
No analogue switch-off date has been set, reflecting lessons from previous digital television migration and the need to avoid service disruption.
The rollout strategy prioritises phased expansion, beginning with the Mombasa-Nairobi-Kisumu corridor and other major population centres where frequency congestion is most severe.
Listeners with compatible receivers can access station names, programme schedules, and other metadata displayed alongside audio, expanding radio’s functionality beyond sound alone.
The current trial is designed to test signal coverage, reception quality, equipment availability, and consumer readiness before wider commercial deployment is considered.
The regulatory authority said it will monitor the network over a twelve-month period, assessing technical performance and public uptake as part of its evaluation process.
Public education will also form a key component of the trial, as digital radio requires compatible receivers, including car radios, portable sets, and integrated audio devices.
Kenya’s DSB framework was developed in 2023 following stakeholder consultations that brought together broadcasters, signal distributors, equipment vendors, and government agencies.
The framework established two licence categories - one to DSB signal distributors and the other for digital broadcast content service providers as authorities sought to align regulation with the new technical architecture, with the regulatory fee for local DSB signal distributors being similar to that of Network Facilities Provider tier-three operators.
For investors, the transition introduces new opportunities that span signal distribution, equipment supply, and content aggregation. Broadcasters will also be able to launch digital-only stations without securing scarce FM frequencies, expanding content diversity, and reaching underserved audiences.
With the rollout, Kenya joins a growing group of countries testing or deploying digital radio as the next phase in sound broadcasting evolution.
The CA says it will work with regional bodies to support harmonised standards that promote interoperability and cross-border investment.
The DSB builds on earlier digital migration efforts in television, reflecting a broader shift toward more efficient spectrum use across communications services.
