PRESS RELEASE: CTU workshop on the preparation of DAB+ tender

Prague, 15 February 2023 - CTU held a workshop to discuss with stakeholders the terms of the tender to grant radio frequencies in the 174-230 MHz band for the provision of 2 full-screen and 27 regional DAB+ broadcasting networks. The workshop took place after the new chairman Marek Ebert withdrew the draft invitation to tender from the public consultation for reasons of greater transparency and decided to hold a workshop. The draft terms of the tender will subsequently be published for the new consultation.

The workshop was well attended and discussed, for example, financial aspects, overlapping of broadcasting networks from abroad and other practical issues. A number of smaller players also declared their interest in DAB+ again. There was general agreement on the need to complete the process as soon as possible so that the current time-limited broadcasting could be transformed into permanent and stable broadcasting.

The tender procedure and the subsequent granting of frequencies will be the conclusion of a long-term preparation process. Following the Geneva RRC-06 regional conference, which adopted the Geneva 2006 Agreement, new frequency plans have been coordinated. Coordination negotiations for Band III were completed in the Czech Republic in May 2022, allowing CTU to proceed with national planning of utilisation. In April 2022, CTU organised a round table with the participation of stakeholders to discuss the principles, conditions, options and requirements for the use of the frequency band concerned.

About DAB+

DAB+ is a digital form of classical analogue broadcasting. It is a technology for terrestrial transmission of broadcasting stations. It offers listeners better sound quality and new stations that can no longer be found in the FM band. Currently, the full-screen broadcasting network A of the statutory broadcaster (Czech Radio) is in operation, using frequency blocks 12C and 12D, the allocation of which was granted under Act No 484/1991 Coll., as well as time-limited local broadcasting in areas where a frequency block allocation has been found and internationally coordinated for a limited period of time.