Farewell to FM radio on smartphones. Bad news for anyone who used to listen to music or radio shows on their phone.
Radio and smartphone, what the law says in the Sblocca Cantieri decree
All smartphones equipped with FM radio sold so far in Italy will have to turn off the service due to the entry into force of the law n. 205/2017 and the subsequent integration of the decree Unlock Construction Sites. From 30 December 2020, smartphones equipped with FM radio can no longer be marketed.
In practice, all devices with FM radio must also receive Dab + services, ie the latest generation digital radio. While the new Maneuver also includes what has already been renamed the “smartphone bonus“, The recent Sblocca Cantieri decree has included mobile phones in the list which also includes car radios, household systems and the like. And therefore they need this special antenna.
But in fact the Dab + antenna is still almost non-existent on smartphones: to understand, only the 2016 Lg Stylus 2 model, among those that also arrived on the European market, has it.
When and how the radio on the mobile phone stops working
Since when will I no longer be able to hear the radio on my phone? Starting next January 1st 2021. The “shutdown” will take place through a software update which will automatically disable the function.
So what happens to the models already on the market? In theory, all smartphones sold by the end of 2020 can continue to use FM radio, unless the manufacturers decide otherwise.
With some important exceptions, in fact. Samsung for example is already releasing an update for Samsung Galaxy A50 which, in addition to improving the stability of calls and connections, disables FM radio.
A choice that is making many users angry, given that the law does not require disabling the FM radio on models already on the market and Samsung would have the technology necessary to operate the update only on models activated after January 1, 2021.
Two “tricks” to keep the radio on the phone
However, do not panic: there are a couple of “tricks” to continue listening to the radio on your mobile.
Meanwhile you can avoid installing the update, even if it is an operation not recommended because, by doing so, you risk exposing your smartphone to greater risks of viruses and making it less performing and slower.
Or – suggested option – you can download one of the many apps, even free, to listen to the radio in streaming found for both Android and iPhone. The same radio stations around the world have dedicated apps, which also allow you to interact with live broadcasts, follow podcasts, send content and much more.
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