At the start of March 2021, the Irish state broadcaster RTE announced that it was shutting down its DAB digital radio network.
The shutdown is scheduled for today the 31st of March.
During a visit to a local ALDI store on Monday, I noticed that they are now selling DAB radios are part of their 'Special Buys'.
These went on sale in Ireland on the 28th of March with the DAB network shutting down three days later.
Now in fairness to ALDI, these radios also have FM so they're not completely useless but it does have DAB radio in large letters across the front of the box.
These radios are probably produced mainly for the UK market and they just happen to be part of the offering in Ireland as well. This 'Special Buy' offering was also probably planned months in advance and the decision to manufacture, import and sell the radios was made months in advance of the decision by RTE to close the DAB network.
I just thought it was ironic that they started selling a digital radio on a Sunday and the digital radio network was closing down the following Wednesday.
I think DAB is the worst invention they ever made. I have a DAB+ radio on my job. Luckely it also has FM as there is not any DAB signal we can receive here. Even the DAB signal from the regional radio station cannot be received. I'm certain the quality of music played trough a DAB signal is as good as CD quality. But what good is it when you do not receive anything.....it is like playing a CD without a CD player ;-). 73, Bas
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