We inspected the development of DAB+, the growth is rapid
The first condition inspected was the start of use of the allocated radio frequencies, which required the launch of at least one transmitter covering the part of the territory for which the block allocation was granted. This condition was fulfilled by the block allocation holders in due time, i.e. within 12 months from the date the decision on the granting of block allocation entered into legal force.
Other conditions inspected include development criteria. Holders of block allocations for nationwide networks are obliged to ensure that their broadcasting network covers at least 50% of the population of the Czech Republic and at least 50% of the length of motorways within 18 months from the date the decision on the granting of block allocation entered into legal force. Although the deadline for compliance with this condition is at the end of August and beginning of September this year, the holders of both nationwide block allocations have already complied with the condition. Holders of block allocations for regional broadcasting are obliged to ensure that their broadcasting network covers at least 40% of the population of the area (allotments) for which the block allocation is issued within 24 months from the date the decision on the granting of block allocation entered into legal force. Although the deadline for compliance with this condition is in late February/March 2026, the majority of block allocation holders already comply with this condition today.
Other deadlines relating to the scope of the condition to ensure a higher population coverage or a higher percentage of motorways covered by digital radio broadcasting will expire in the second half of 2026 or even later, and therefore CTU will check their compliance subsequently.
"We are pleased to note that the auction has resulted in a relatively rapid increase in the availability of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting, not only in terms of the number of inhabitants who have access to the signal, but also in terms of the growing range of radio programmes distributed by private broadcasters. We would like to remind you that in order to take advantage of these new opportunities, listeners need a suitable receiver that can already receive radio frequencies in the DAB+ band," said Marek Ebert, CTU Council Chairman.
Compared to the situation before the auctioning of the block allocations, when around 36 temporary transmitters with a maximum power of 1 kW were in operation outside of the broadcasting of Český Rozhlas (Czech Radio), 93 transmitters of private operators are currently in operation, of which 43 have a power of 5 kW or more. Although an increase in the number of transmitters or an increase in their power is foreseen for the next period, an external receiving antenna (preferably also professionally installed) is currently needed in most cases to receive DAB+ broadcasting.
