Bulgaria

Last update: 15.04.2020 - older versions

Future coverage of DAB+ digital radio in Sofia. More information at https://dab.bg/

Last update: 22.08.2019 - older versions

Over 450 different devices in various price ranges from 20 Bulgarian lev are available in specialised shops and commercial chains.

Last update: 07.12.2021

On 20 March 2020 Digital audio Bulgaria LTD started a DAB+ trial in the capital city Sofia. More information is available here.

Last update: 12.08.2022 - older versions

As of August 2022, the latest developments related to the issuance of permits for broadcasting in band 174.0-230.0 MHz in Bulgaria are as follows:

Following the CRC’s declaration of intention to issue permits for broadcasting in band 174.0-230.0 MHz and the call for submission of intentions for use of spectrum in this band, letters of valid intentions for use of spectrum were submitted by Bulgarian Radio company EOOD (member of ABBRO); Bulgarian Telecommunication Company EAD; Metroradio EOOD (member of ABBRO); BTV Media Group EAD (member of ABBRO) and Digital Audio Bulgaria EOOD.

The number of intentions submitted was less than the number of permits that could be issued. Therefore, the CRC did not hold contests for issuing of permits, and directly invited the above companies to submit requests for issuance of permits. Permits were issued to the companies which submitted such requests, in particular: Bulgarian Radiocompany EOOD, Bulgarian Telecommunication Company EAD, Metroradio EOOD and Digital Audio Bulgaria EOOD.

There are still pending legislative gaps related to the issuance of programme licences for digital terrestrial broadcasting of radio programmes, which is a prerequisite for the use of the spectrum for the broadcasting of radio programmes. Legislative changes in the Radio and Television Act may be needed for the effective use of the spectrum. However the procedure conducted by the CRC creates legitimate expectations for the holders of permits to effectively use the spectrum. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2 October 2022.

In March 2022, the situation in Bulgaria in relation to regulation for DAB+ was reported as follows:

The CRC has declared its intention to handle a contest for the issuance of the following permissions for broadcasting in band 174-230 MHz:

• 2 permits with national scope, covering 12 service areas (Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Vidin, Kardzhali, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora and Shumen);
• 42 permits with regional scope covering the territorial boundaries of the relevant service areas: Blagoevgrad (4 permits); Burgas (4 permits); Varna-city (2 permits); Kardzhali (4 permits); Plovdiv (4 permits); Smolyan (4 permits); Sofia (4 permits); Sofia-city (10 permits); Stara Zagora (4 permits); Strandzha (2 permits).

CRC’s decision includes a call for submission of intentions for use of spectrum under the above conditions. Following the public consultations, the CRC shall issue a decision by which it may:

• Announce contest(s) for issuing of permission(s) – in case the number intentions submitted is greater than the number of permits that can be issued;
• Take actions for issuing of permission(s) – in case the number of the submitted intentions is less than or equal to the number of permits that can be issued.

In September 2021 the Bulgarian regulator - CRC - launched a procedure for a public consultation on the prospects of using radio frequency 174-230 MHz. The CRC recommends DAB+, and the consultation aims to explore the level of interest in the market for the licensing of national and regional DAB+.  The consultation period lasts for one month. Read the consultation documentation here (Bulgarian). 

At its meeting on 2 December 2021, the CRC adopted the results of the public consultation. The table with the summarized results of the public consultation for DAB along with the decision will be published on the CRC website shortly.

At the end of 2018 a draft Regulatory Policy for the Administration of radio frequency spectrum was published for public consultation.  According to the draft Policy the Communications Regulation Commission has the capacity to issue DAB+ licences however as yet no licences have been issued. 

The draft Regulatory Policy notes: “The specification of the T-DAB / T-DAB + technology, as well as the T-DAB / T-DAB + facilities have been developed and approved by ETSI / EBU8 / CENELEC9, based on proposals from the WorldDAB Forum”.

The draft regulatory policy is available to download here (in Bulgarian).

Last update: 05.05.2020

 Digital Audio Bulgaria has launched a new promotional video on DAB+, highlighting the various benefits of DAB+ digital radio. A new consumer-facing DAB marketing website adopting the DAB+ logo and branding in line with other European countries looking to help develop DAB+ digital radio has also launched in Bulgaria - www.dab.bg.