Czechia - Regulation and Spectrum - History
25.06.2018
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).
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).
The Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) for particular bands sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This part of RSUP is from 2008 and it is still valid. The regulatory body Czech Telecommunication Office is preparing the strategy for Band III and the selection procedure is expected to be launched in 2013.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service. Wireless microphones are used in land mobile service only. The switch over to digital TV was finished end of June 2012 and Band III is ready for digital broadcasting, and is planned for T-DAB and DVB-T in accordance with Geneva 2006 Agreement.
L Band: A tender for 10 year licenses in the 13 largest cities for operation was started on 6 May 2011. Licenses were granted during the September – November period and the company Ceske Radiokomunikace received in total 12 licenses and the company RTI cz s.r.o. one for Prague. All licenses will expire in 2021. Individual authorisations for TELEKO in Block LA were awarded for five years with right to extend.
The main document for electronic communication regulation is the Act. No. 127/2005 Coll. On Electronic Communications. This document explains spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic and is the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service.
04.04.2014
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).
In April 2006 the Czech Parliament adopted a media law focused on digital broadcasting. The Telecommunications Office has declared that their office will be technology neutral with regard to the DAB audio codec (DAB or DAB+). The document explaining spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic is the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use.
The Frequency Band Allocation Plan (National Table of Frequency Allocation) was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has been published as Government Decree No. 105/2010 Coll. Regulatory body the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) issues the Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) for particular bands and sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This utilisation plan describes if a license is needed for the use of the frequencies and the selection procedure. Transmitters can be brought into use if the operator is awarded Individual Authorisation, some bands can be used by defined devices based on General Authorisation (e.g. wireless microphones).
The Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) for particular bands sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This part of RSUP is from 2008 and it is still valid. The regulatory body Czech Telecommunication Office is preparing the strategy for Band III and the selection procedure is expected to be launched in 2013.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service. Wireless microphones are used in land mobile service only. The switch over to digital TV was finished end of June 2012 and Band III is ready for digital broadcasting, and is planned for T-DAB and DVB-T in accordance with Geneva 2006 Agreement.
L Band: A tender for 10 year licenses in the 13 largest cities for operation was started on 6 May 2011. Licenses were granted during the September – November period and the company Ceske Radiokomunikace received in total 12 licenses and the company RTI cz s.r.o. one for Prague. All licenses will expire in 2021. Individual authorisations for TELEKO in Block LA were awarded for five years with right to extend. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been prepared to approve the State policy “Digital Czech” in early 2013 and it includes a section on digital radio .It is expected that the Government will support the gradual process of switch over from analogue to digital radio by the time analogue licenses are due to expire. Digital Czech emphasizes necessary collaboration of the state authorities with the broadcasters, transmitter operators, receiver manufacturers and the automotive industry.
The main document for electronic communication regulation is the Act. No. 127/2005 Coll. On Electronic Communications. This document explains spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic and is the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use. The Frequency Band Allocation Plan (National Table of Frequency Allocation) was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has been
published as Government Decree No. 105/2010 Coll.
The regulatory body the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) issues the Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) which is the detailed description of particular bands and sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This utilisation plan describes if a license is needed for the use of the frequencies and the selection procedure. Transmitters can be brought into use if the operator is awarded Individual Authorisation, some bands can be used by defined devices based on General Authorisation (e.g. wireless microphones).
L-Band was free and implementation of regular digital radio started here at the end of 2009 when the tender for the nationwide network started. Two applications were submitted by the companies Ceske Radiokomunikace and TELEKO. Both applications were rejected for not fulfilling the tender requirements and no winner was selected.
In 2010 Ceske Radiokomunikace won a tender for 13 regional networks in Prague and Central Bohemia, TELEKO in five regions and RTI cz in three regions. Licenses were awarded in February - March 2011 which are valid for 10 years.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service.
Wireless microphones are used in land mobile service only. The switch over to digital TV was finished end of June 2012 and Band III is ready for digital broadcasting, and is planned for T-DAB and DVB-T in accordance with Geneva 2006 Agreement.
Regular broadcasting begun in the Band III on frequencies coordinated by the Geneva 2006 allotments. Individual Authorisations were granted for TELEKO transmitters in Pribram (February 2013, block 11A) and Trutnov - Cerna Hora (July 2013, block 5D).
On 8 August, 2013 the CTU announced the revision of the RSUP together with the draft basic principles of digital radio Band III tenders. Discussion on both documents will end 20 September 2013.
The selection procedure for digital radio networks is anticipated in 2014. Two allotments, 12C in Bohemia and 12D in Moravia, are reserved for the public broadcaster multiplex. CTU expect that this multiplex will be set by the law, which is currently in preparation, not by the tender.
Eight tenders will be for one nationwide and seven regional networks. The technology to be used will be DAB+. The coverage obligation will be 80% of inhabitants and main transport infrastructure (e.g. railways, highways). The tender for a nationwide network will take place first and the winner will not be able to take part in the regional tenders. The method will be one round envelope auction price offer. The minimal price offer is anticipated as CZK 10,000 (around EUR 380) per 10,000 inhabitants. Licenses will be valid for 15 years.
Development related to Band III is connected to the State policy “Digital Czech”. The second revision of it was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in early 2013 and it includes a section on digital radio. It is expected that the Government will support the gradual process of switch over from analogue to digital radio. Digital Czech emphasizes necessary collaboration of the state authorities with the broadcasters, transmitter operators, receiver manufacturers and the automotive industry.
03.04.2014
In April 2006 the Czech Parliament adopted a media law focused on digital broadcasting. The Telecommunications Office has declared that their office will be technology neutral with regard to the DAB audio codec (DAB or DAB+). The document explaining spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic is the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use.
The Frequency Band Allocation Plan (National Table of Frequency Allocation) was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has been published as Government Decree No. 105/2010 Coll. Regulatory body the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) issues the Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) for particular bands and sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This utilisation plan describes if a license is needed for the use of the frequencies and the selection procedure. Transmitters can be brought into use if the operator is awarded Individual Authorisation, some bands can be used by defined devices based on General Authorisation (e.g. wireless microphones).
The Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) for particular bands sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This part of RSUP is from 2008 and it is still valid. The regulatory body Czech Telecommunication Office is preparing the strategy for Band III and the selection procedure is expected to be launched in 2013.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service. Wireless microphones are used in land mobile service only. The switch over to digital TV was finished end of June 2012 and Band III is ready for digital broadcasting, and is planned for T-DAB and DVB-T in accordance with Geneva 2006 Agreement.
L Band: A tender for 10 year licenses in the 13 largest cities for operation was started on 6 May 2011. Licenses were granted during the September – November period and the company Ceske Radiokomunikace received in total 12 licenses and the company RTI cz s.r.o. one for Prague. All licenses will expire in 2021. Individual authorisations for TELEKO in Block LA were awarded for five years with right to extend. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been prepared to approve the State policy “Digital Czech” in early 2013 and it includes a section on digital radio .It is expected that the Government will support the gradual process of switch over from analogue to digital radio by the time analogue licenses are due to expire. Digital Czech emphasizes necessary collaboration of the state authorities with the broadcasters, transmitter operators, receiver manufacturers and the automotive industry.
The main document for electronic communication regulation is the Act. No. 127/2005 Coll. On Electronic Communications. This document explains spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic and is the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use. The Frequency Band Allocation Plan (National Table of Frequency Allocation) was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has been
published as Government Decree No. 105/2010 Coll.
The regulatory body the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) issues the Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP) which is the detailed description of particular bands and sets the detailed regulation for use of the frequencies. This utilisation plan describes if a license is needed for the use of the frequencies and the selection procedure. Transmitters can be brought into use if the operator is awarded Individual Authorisation, some bands can be used by defined devices based on General Authorisation (e.g. wireless microphones).
L-Band was free and implementation of regular digital radio started here at the end of 2009 when the tender for the nationwide network started. Two applications were submitted by the companies Ceske Radiokomunikace and TELEKO. Both applications were rejected for not fulfilling the tender requirements and no winner was selected.
In 2010 Ceske Radiokomunikace won a tender for 13 regional networks in Prague and Central Bohemia, TELEKO in five regions and RTI cz in three regions. Licenses were awarded in February - March 2011 which are valid for 10 years.
Band III: According to NTFA Band III is allocated to broadcasting as a primary service and to land mobile as a secondary service.
Wireless microphones are used in land mobile service only. The switch over to digital TV was finished end of June 2012 and Band III is ready for digital broadcasting, and is planned for T-DAB and DVB-T in accordance with Geneva 2006 Agreement.
Regular broadcasting begun in the Band III on frequencies coordinated by the Geneva 2006 allotments. Individual Authorisations were granted for TELEKO transmitters in Pribram (February 2013, block 11A) and Trutnov - Cerna Hora (July 2013, block 5D).
On 8 August, 2013 the CTU announced the revision of the RSUP together with the draft basic principles of digital radio Band III tenders. Discussion on both documents will end 20 September 2013.
The selection procedure for digital radio networks is anticipated in 2014. Two allotments, 12C in Bohemia and 12D in Moravia, are reserved for the public broadcaster multiplex. CTU expect that this multiplex will be set by the law, which is currently in preparation, not by the tender.
Eight tenders will be for one nationwide and seven regional networks. The technology to be used will be DAB+. The coverage obligation will be 80% of inhabitants and main transport infrastructure (e.g. railways, highways). The tender for a nationwide network will take place first and the winner will not be able to take part in the regional tenders. The method will be one round envelope auction price offer. The minimal price offer is anticipated as CZK 10,000 (around EUR 380) per 10,000 inhabitants. Licenses will be valid for 15 years.
Development related to Band III is connected to the State policy “Digital Czech”. The second revision of it was prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in early 2013 and it includes a section on digital radio. It is expected that the Government will support the gradual process of switch over from analogue to digital radio. Digital Czech emphasizes necessary collaboration of the state authorities with the broadcasters, transmitter operators, receiver manufacturers and the automotive industry.