Germany, first country to massively deploy SmartFM with WorldCast

WorldCast Systems is deploying on a large scale in Germany SmartFM technology that allows stations that operate with Ecreso transmitters to reduce their energy consumption by up to 40%.

This deployment, which represents 800 FM transmitters by the end of 2022, is an important step towards the decarbonization of FM broadcasting in Germany.

With almost 2,000 Ecreso FM transmitters sold in the country, almost half of them are operated by Uplink Network. With support from Uplink, and several radios operated by them, including public radios such as Deutschland Radio, RBB, WDR and NDR, SmartFM is currently being deployed across UPLINK's entire Ecreso transmitter fleet.

The rollout is being done progressively, with a launch early this year and continuing through December. The first group of users already confirms consistently positive field performance with SmartFM in terms of energy saving, no impact on audio quality and coverage.

Christophe Poulain, co-president of WorldCast Systems, assures that “Germany is famous for its rigorous selection process, which makes this a resounding success for our teams, and we hope for the entire radio industry. For Uplink, the trigger was to broadcast with a greener solution while ensuring optimal quality.”

Thomas Weiner, COO of the Uplink group, was delighted “to be able to take this important step in energy saving together with WorldCast Systems. As Germany's largest broadcaster, it is especially important for us to successfully support our customers with innovative savings options such as SmartFM without loss of quality. An efficient process that saves energy, reduces costs and protects the climate,” he says.

In addition to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%, SmartFM simultaneously reduces the electricity bill. “With the alarming rise in electricity costs, especially in Europe, SmartFM can be a lifeline for broadcasters looking to reduce their bills; We are talking about hundreds or thousands of euros of annual savings, depending on the size of the network, the power range of the transmitter and the content of the program,” concludes Poulain.

Other articles on Unlink Network, WorldCast Systems