PRESS RELEASE: Nationwide commercial DAB+ networks cover up to 93 % of the population. CTU checked licence holders for meeting their obligations.

Prague, 22 October  2026 – Nationwide commercial DAB+ digital radio networks already cover more inhabitants than the Czech Telecommunication office set in the criteria for their operators after the frequency auction. According to the CTU’s findings, České Radiokomunikace’s network already covers almost 93 % of the Czech population and more than 98 % of the length of motorways. RTI cz covers 85.7 % of the population and 89.1 % of the length of motorways. This was revealed by an audit of the fulfilment of the conditions for the allocation of radio frequencies for digital radio broadcasting. 

The terms and conditions of the 2023 selection procedure set out a binding timetable for allocation holders. Within 18 months of the allocations becoming legally binding, they had to cover at least half of the population of the Czech Republic and half of the motorway network; within 30 months, they had to cover at least 80 %t. The second of these deadlines coincided with the turn of August and September this year and CTU therefore checked how allocation holders were meeting their obligations.                   

Both companies achieved the required coverage well ahead of schedule. České Radiokomunikace met the second development criterion as early as 20 February 2025, approximately a year and a half ahead of schedule. RTI cz met it on 24 October 2025, more than ten months ahead of the deadline. The CTU had already highlighted this early compliance last October at a conference in Průhonice, and this year’s inspection confirmed that the operators continue to meet the conditions. 

It is important to note, however, that the CTU assesses coverage using a calculation based on a specified methodology, which assumes reception via an outdoor antenna. The coverage percentages quoted cannot therefore be automatically applied to reception inside homes using standard portable receivers. 

Other conditions were also met: for example, the obligation to commence broadcasting no later than one year after the allocation became legally binding. České Radiokomunikace began using the allocated frequencies on 30 August 2024, and RTI cz on 31 December 2024. Both companies thus met the specified deadline. The inspection did not reveal any breaches of the required technical parameters for the transmitters of nationwide networks. 

The roll-out of DAB+ networks gained significant momentum following the frequency auction at the turn of 2023 and 2024. In that auction, the CTU awarded all the radio frequency allocations on offer. Licence holders paid a total of 79.325 million crowns for the allocations. By March 2025, the CTU had already registered 93 transmitters belonging to private DAB+ operators, whereas prior to the auction there were approximately 36 in operation. As well as expanding coverage, this development also includes a wider range of radio stations on offer. 

“It is an excellent news for all listeners of radio broadcasting that, in addition to the already available nationwide digital broadcasting on Český rozhlas’s network and the extension of the range of its channels, two more commercial DAB-based broadcasting networks are being successfully developed and, as a result, new digital channels are being offered.” 

Digital radio DAB+ allows the distribution of multiple stations on a common broadcasting network and the transmission of accompanying information in addition to sound. To receive it, it is necessary to use a radio supporting the DAB+ standard. 

Although both commercial allocation holders have already fulfilled the required development criteria, their commitments do not stop there. They must maintain coverage throughout the allocation period, i.e. until the end of 2040. The CTU will continue to monitor compliance and publish coverage data on an ongoing basis on its VPortal.

Tereza Meravá
spokesperson