Czechia - Current situation - History
11.02.2015
Network operator TELEKO operates one regular local DAB/DAB+ multiplex using band III and L- Band, which reaches 5 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic. The signal broadcasts in Prague and the surrounding area, in Příbram, Brno and the surrounding region, the Moravia-Silesian region, the Usti nad Labem region and Hradec Kralove region. 15 radio stations are being broadcast on the TELEKO multiplex.
Network operator RTI CZ operates 52 radio transmitters in the FM band, predominantly in Western Bohemia. In 2011 RTI CZ obtained a license for Digital Radio DAB (L Band) in the Pilsenregion, Carlsbad region, South Bohemian region and inPrague city. RTI cz company serve DAB broadcasting in West and South Bohemia.
From 1 March 2013, the selection of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) was expanded to include new projects of public broadcaster Czech Radio. Owners of digital audio devices are now able to listen to three new stations, two of which have been up until now limited to online broadcasting: Czech Radio – Radio Junior, Czech Radio Jazz and Czech Radio Plus.
The digital audio signal is currently available to approximately 57% of Czech inhabitants. Digital networks are powered by three operators which have obtained the appropriate permission from the Czech Telecommunication Office. Up to 18 stations are available to audiences in many Czech regions.
The Czech Parliament published four key requirements for successful implementation of digital broadcasting:
- The government should announce a schedule for the development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting including a specific deadline for the completion of the transfer from analog to digital broadcasting.
- Czech Radio should permanently obtain frequencies for digital broadcasting and should become, like Czech Television, the operator of its own public service multiplex.
- Digital TV broadcasting has proven that it would be appropriate to use a national body which would be able to efficiently coordinate the steps taken by all individual entities. Following this example, the parties involved should establish the National Association for Digital Audio Broadcasting (NA DAB) comprising - in addition to the representatives of Czech Radio - ministries and governmental offices, licence holders, car producers, operators, electronic appliance dealers, etc.
- The state has to motivate private operators. An amendment to the law on broadcasting could, for example, loosen the rules regarding the ownership of digital stations.
In addition to Czech Radio, other commercial entities also expressed their support of digital broadcasting during the seminar: Lagardére Active CR (holder of the first historical digital licence) and the dance music radio station, SeeJay Radio. A unilateral resolution in favour of DAB was also adopted by the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting.
04.04.2014
Network operator TELEKO operates one regular local DAB/DAB+ multiplex using band III and L- Band, which reaches 5 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic. The signal broadcasts in Prague and the surrounding area, in Příbram, Brno and the surrounding region, the Moravia-Silesian region, the Usti nad Labem region and Hradec Kralove region. 15 radio stations are being broadcast on the TELEKO multiplex.
Network operator RTI CZ operates 52 radio transmitters in the FM band, predominantly in Western Bohemia. In 2011 RTI CZ obtained a license for Digital Radio DAB (L Band) in the Pilsenregion, Carlsbad region, South Bohemian region and inPrague city. RTI cz company serve DAB broadcasting in West and South Bohemia.
From 1 March 2013, the selection of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) was expanded to include new projects of public broadcaster Czech Radio. Owners of digital audio devices are now able to listen to three new stations, two of which have been up until now limited to online broadcasting: Czech Radio – Radio Junior, Czech Radio Jazz and Czech Radio Plus.
The digital audio signal is currently available to approximately 53% of Czech inhabitants. Digital networks are powered by three operators which have obtained the appropriate permission from the Czech Telecommunication Office. Up to 18 stations are available to audiences in many Czech regions.
The Czech Parliament published four key requirements for successful implementation of digital broadcasting:
- The government should announce a schedule for the development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting including a specific deadline for the completion of the transfer from analog to digital broadcasting.
- Czech Radio should permanently obtain frequencies for digital broadcasting and should become, like Czech Television, the operator of its own public service multiplex.
- Digital TV broadcasting has proven that it would be appropriate to use a national body which would be able to efficiently coordinate the steps taken by all individual entities. Following this example, the parties involved should establish the National Association for Digital Audio Broadcasting (NA DAB) comprising - in addition to the representatives of Czech Radio - ministries and governmental offices, licence holders, car producers, operators, electronic appliance dealers, etc.
- The state has to motivate private operators. An amendment to the law on broadcasting could, for example, loosen the rules regarding the ownership of digital stations.
In addition to Czech Radio, other commercial entities also expressed their support of digital broadcasting during the seminar: Lagardére Active CR (holder of the first historical digital licence) and the dance music radio station, SeeJay Radio. A unilateral resolution in favour of DAB was also adopted by the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting.
01.10.2013
Key features of regulation for digital radio in Czech Republic are:
- L-Band used
- Three network operators operate a number of regional or city multiplexes with public and commercial programs
- Licenses valid for 10 years (till 2022/2023), but all interested in Band III when free
- No analogue radio switch-off date
- Analogue radio licenses are prolonged till 2025 when commitment to switch over to digital is signed by the license holder
- Current network operators will ask for transformation of L-Band licenses to the Band III
Spectrum and content regulation is divided between the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (content) and the Czech Telecommunication Office (spectrum). In April 2006 the Czech Parliament adopted a media law focused on digital broadcasting.
Each analogue radio license holder which signed the commitment to switch over to digital broadcasting received prolonged analogue license till 2025. Consequently 2025 could be understood as the analogue radio switch off date. There are no obstacles from the content regulator to start digital broadcasting and it has already started.
Spectrum regulator the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) has declared that their office will be technology neutral with regard to the DAB audio codec (DAB or DAB+). Licensing was focused on the L-Band which was free and implementation in Band III was waiting for the end of analogue TV transmission in the band (June 2012).