Radio annual and television yearbook (1939)

NORWAY General — There lias been a steady increase in the sales of radio sets in Norway. Set registrations increased from 137,968 on Jan. 1, 1934, to 300,722 for Jan. 1 last. Sources of Supply — The Dutch Philips, the Hungarian Tungsram, and the German Telefunken sets accounted for the larger part of the value of imported sets in 193 7. Total imports from those countries constituted 44.2, 13.6, and 13.0 pet cent, respectively, compared with 29.6, 15.5, and 41.6 per cent of the Norwegian imports in 1936. The remainder of the 1937 imports chiefly applied to Belgian, American, British, Latvian, and Swedish sets. While the United States ranked fifth in importance in 1937, as against the fourth in 1935 and 1936, there was, nevertheless, an increase in its share of the market, the per centage of the total value veing 5.6 in the year under review, compared with 3.9 and 4.9 in 1935 and 1936. Radio receiving sets are manufactured in Norway, both from domestic and from imported parts. The bulk of the Norwegian production of radio receiving material is shared between 7 firms, all in Oslo. There are no firms engaged in the assembly of sets, nor are there any firms importing radio chassis and providing cabinets locally. Patents — A patent pool, consisting of certain European and American manufacturers, is offering a license agreement for the importation of American radio receiving sets, upon payment of a royalty of 4 per cent of the gross list price, less 30 per cent. American tubes, which formerly could not be imported on any basis, are now admitted to sale, providing they do not contain more than four electrodes and do not infringe the pentode or hexode patents. The Schottky (screen grid) and the Langmuir (grid frame) patents, which were great obstacles to the importation of American tubes, have expired. There are still, however, a few patent infringement and validity suits pending in Norwegian courts, namely the Philips pentode tube patent, the Telefunken padding condenser patent, and the Hazeltine image-suppressor patents. The latter is represented in Scandinavia by Aga-Baltic. Tariffs and Restrictions — Radio tubes, including rectifiers, are classified under Item No. 158 of the Norwegian Customs Tariff, with a duty of 50 ore each, plus surcharges of 50 per cent and 20 per cent, or a total of 90 ore per tube. All other radio equipment is classified under Item No. 159, a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem plus the surcharges, or a total of 36 per cent ad valorem being levied thereon. In addition there are harbor and traffic dues. There is also an internal revenue tax of 10 per cent of the retail price to be paid, on all radio receiving sets, except on sets which retail at 120 kroner or less. On such sets an internal revenue tax of 1 krone is levied. Radio equipment is not subject to any other taxes or to any exchange restrictions. Short Wave — All radio receivers sold in Norway are equipped with a short wave band, generally covering 16. 19, 25 and 49 meters. Increased interest has lately been felt in receivers with the 13 meter band, and a good number of sets will in the future be thus equipped. Broadcasting — Broadcasting in Norway dates from 1925, when a private company was granted a concession by the State for the construction and operation of a radio broadcasting station in Oslo. Similar concessions were granted to private companies in Bergen and other cities, and revenues were provided by the imposition of an internal revenue tax of 10 per cent on sales of radio apparatus and equipment, and a "listeners' tax" of 20 kroner per annum. This latter will probably be reduced to 15 kroner from January 1, 1939. Sets in use: — 300,722. Stations — 17. PALESTINE General — The number of sets in use in Palestine at the beginning of 1938 was 28,515, according to license statistics, an increase of 8,000 during the year. # That the greatest demand is among the Jews is shown by the fact that 65 per cent of the license applications in 1937 were filled out in Hebrew. All-wave sets are in greatest demand, 6 to 8tube table models being popular. There is a limited market for consoles. Phonograph combinations are not selling at present, but most of this business came from restaurants and similar places. The tendency among the Arabs was to favor 3 and 4-tube battery medium-and-long wave sets, with which Ramallah and Cairo could be received. Dealers report, however, that the Arab trade is also turning to all-wave sets. Sources of Supply — The United States is the principal supplier, with about 65 per cent of the average annual market. The Netherlands average about 15 per cent, with the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Hungary each participating to a smaller extent. Patents — No interference with sales. Tariffs and Restrictions — Radio sets and parts are dutiable at 12 per cent ad valorem under serial No. 434 of the tariff. Short Wave — Owing to atmospheric conditions, reception from Europe on the medium wave band is not good, as a rule. The Jewish population is interested in European reception and short wave is therefore very popular with this group. American short wave broadcasts can be received on only the more powerful sets. Broadcasting — The Palestine broadcasting station at Ramallah is government owned and operated, and has a frequency of 668 kilocycles, 449 meters, and a power of 20,000 watts. Regulations — The Palestine radio regulations are based on the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance of 1924, which has been amended on several occasions. Sets in use — 28,515. Stations — -1. # PANAMA General — The number of sets in use in either the Republic or Canal Zone cannot be definitely determined, but trade estimates are that the number is around 10,000. Imports during the first 6 months of 1938 amounted to 628 sets, of which the United States provided 584, and during the calendar year 1937 3,140' sets, of which 3,068 were from the United States. The demand is principally for table models equipped with a complete short wave band and of not less than 5 tubes. The most popular price range is for sets that retail from $50 to $100. Console sets and also radio phonograph combinations are in fairly good demand by those in the limited group with higher income. Sources of Supply — Eight popular American makes are on sale in addition to Philips, which supplied 36 sets in 1937 and 17 during the first half of 1938, and Telefunken. with 12 in 193 7 and 9 during the first half of 1938. Most accessories are also of American manufacture. Patents — -Therehas been no patent interference with sales. Tariffs and Restrictions — Radio receiving sets, parts, and apparatus for radios are assessed 15 per cent ad valorem as an import duty plus 3 per cent ad valorem on the f.o.b. value of the invoice as a consular fee. 953