PRESS RELEASE: CTU has granted all block allocations for DAB

Praha, 26. february 2024 – The CTU Council Chairman has already decided on the granting of radio frequency block allocations under Section 22 of the Electronic Communications Actfor to all 8 participants that were successful in the tender for granting of the rights to use radio frequencies in the 174 - 230 MHz band. Within one month of the end of the tender and the granting of radio frequency block allocation to all winners of the auction, CTU shall publish a report on the procedure and the results of the auction. Within the same time limit, CTU shall also publish a complete record of the auction made by the electronic auction system.

The total auction price for all Auction blocks was CZK 79.325.000

The development criteria, set within the tender procedure, should ensure not only a successful development of DAB broadcasting but also efficient use of allocated radio frequencies. The nationwide networks shall cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways in another 12 months. Regional broadcasting shall cover 40% of the population of the relevant region within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region in another 24 months. The advantages of digital radio broadcasting include in particular the possibility of extending the offer of programmes distributed nationwide. These include the possibility of better sound quality or various additional multimedia functions and applications for which the recipient does not need the Internet. DAB should enable significantly better quality and availability of reception on the move, i.e. especially in cars. It has been mandatory for several years now for all new cars sold to include a DAB receiver.