Malaysia FM radio frequency spectrum get congested nowadays due to more radio stations, so digital radio switchover is still needed for Malaysia broadcast industry to ease frequency congestion.
By implementing radio switchover to digital, Malaysia shall adapt DRM Digital Radio Mondiale, rather than DAB+ which are failure radio technology in most of the world except Europe due to DRM wider coverage.
If Malaysia adapts DRM radio, I believe listeners can tune to their favorite radio stations without changing the dial, plus regardless they stay near or far away from DRM radio transmitter site, they still can access their radio stations.
1 DRM radio frequency can carry more radio channels. So, Malaysia radio stations groups such as Media Prima, Astro Radio, Star, RTM and other independent radio stations can be combined into 1 multiplex or divided into different multiplexes frequencies.
Here are the example:
==1 multiplex only by combining all radio stations (Based in Klang Valley)==
DRM MW1008kHz: Astro (11 radio stations) + RTM Nationwide (6 radio stations) + Media Prima (4 radio stations) + STAR (2 radio stations) + BFM + City Plus FM + Bernama Radio + Best FM + IKIM FM= 28 radio channels
==Example of different multiplexes by radio group (Klang Valley)==
* MUX 1 (MW 1008kHz): Astro Radio
* MUX 2 (MW 1602kHz): Media Prima & Star Radio
* MUX 3 (MW 576kHz): RTM (Bernama Radio, Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, Ai FM, Traxx FM, Minnal FM, Salam FM, Asyik FM)
* MUX 4 (MW 621kHz): Independent/standalone radio stations (BFM, IKIM FM, Best FM, City Plus FM, etc)
If these DRM radio multiplexes are transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali at 2kW, it can cover more areas than FM radio, even if TX power is 10kW, it may cover whole Peninsular Malaysia. It is an advantage of DRM radio, that is DRM radio does not need high transmission power, even in Brazil, the DRM trial transmission from Brasilia can cover whole country, even beyond the border if use less than 500W (via shortwave).
It is impossible if Malaysia fully close down all analog FM radio channels. Alongside with digital radio switchover to DRM, actually analog FM radio frequency can be reserved for community and local radio stations.
RTM has state radio stations actually, I don't think it is necessary to switchover to DRM for them. Example, Pahang FM serves Pahang state actually. If it switchover to digital, it becomes standalone multiplex DRM channel.
If all nationwide radio stations switch to DRM, their "FM" name suffix will be withdrawn from their radio brands. Astro had withdrawn FM suffix from its radio stations to focus on digital platforms and social media, switches from linear media to 360 degree media since January 2018. Meanwhile, RTM nationwide radio stations name can be renamed to the former name such as:
- Nasional FM>RTM Radio1
- Radio Klasik>RTM Radio2
- Bernama Radio (merged with RTM)>RTM Radio3 Berita
- Traxx FM>RTM Radio4
- Ai FM>RTM Radio5
- Minnal FM>RTM Radio6 Tamil
- Asyik FM>RTM Radio7 Orang Asli
- Salam FM>RTM Radio8
**RTM state radio stations remain on analog FM radio
With the implementation of digital radio switchover to Digital Radio Mondiale in Malaysia by dividing radio stations groups with multiplexing channel (MUX), I think Astro can add its satellite radio stations such as Gold, Jazz, Classic Rock, Osai to its DRM channels. Moreover, currently RTM Asyik FM and Salam FM broadcast together, just different broadcasting hours. With DRM radio technology, Asyik FM and Salam FM can be split to become full fledged radio channels, this will result Asyik FM will become 24 hours Orang Asli radio station, then Salam FM will be upgraded to 24 hours Islamic radio station.
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