The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has activated the country’s first trial for Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) in Nairobi, signaling the beginning of the end for FM frequency congestion.
FM is Full
Radio remains Kenya’s most dominant media, reaching 98% of households and supporting over 300 licensed services.
However, in major cities like Nairobi, the FM band (87.5–108.0 MHz) is “saturated.”
- The Problem: There is no room for new stations, and listeners often deal with signal interference and inconsistent audio quality.
- The Solution: DSB (specifically DAB+) allows multiple radio stations to be bundled into a single frequency block, dramatically increasing capacity.
The Players Involved
In 2025, the CA authorized two companies to lead the charge:
- Mast Rental Services Ltd: Became the first to go live in January 2026. Their Nairobi network already carries 14 radio programs.
- Signet Signal Distributors Ltd: The second authorized trial operator, expected to deploy further infrastructure.
Why This Matters
The shift from analog FM to digital radio mirrors the “digital migration” seen in television a decade ago.
| Feature | Analog FM | Digital (DAB+) |
| Audio Quality | Subject to static/hiss | Crystal clear, “CD-quality” sound |
| Variety | Limited by spectrum | Dozens of new niche and thematic stations |
| Data | Minimal (RDS text only) | Visuals, song titles, news, and guides |
| Efficiency | One station per frequency | Multiple stations per frequency |
Between The Lines
Just as TV migration required a set-top box, listening to digital radio requires a DAB+ enabled receiver.
- Current FM radios will not pick up digital signals.
- Most new cars and modern portable radios come with DAB+ built-in, but millions of Kenyans will eventually need to upgrade their hardware.
What’s Next?
The CA is taking a “soft” approach to avoid the chaos of a sudden switch-off.
- Phased Rollout: The trial will run for 12 months in Nairobi before expanding to the Mombasa–Nairobi–Kisumu corridor.
- No Switch-off Yet: FM is not going away tomorrow. Digital radio will complement existing FM services for the foreseeable future.
- Monitoring: Over the next year, the regulator will evaluate signal coverage, service quality, and—crucially—the affordability of receivers for the public.
