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Estonia

Last update: 13.12.2024 - older versions

In September 2023, the Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia sent out an invitation to market players and stakeholders to participate in a consultation to identify their interests and expectations regarding the introduction of digital radio and to plan the use of the 174-230 MHz band.

The results of the consultation were published in March 2024. This stated: "it is clear that there is market interest in digital radio... According to the state, the introduction of digital radio will create an additional opportunity for radio programme owners to get their own programmes on air. Today, there are more potential radio programmes than the FM frequency resource allows, and a choice has to be made between radio programmes. Digital radio, with its additional frequency resource, would help to overcome this problem and diversify the Estonian media landscape."

The consulation summary sets out a planned timetable for further activities: "As the feedback from the public consultation showed reasonable market interest in the uptake of digital radio, the State plans to move forward with the competition for frequency licences. As a next step, it is planned to develop a ministerial decree for the public frequency tender. The development of the ordinance and its coordination with market participants will take place in the second to third quarter of 2024. The public call for tender will take place and frequency licences will be issued in the fourth quarter of 2024.

"As there is interest from the market, the trial period for digital radio will be extended. The length of the trial period will depend on how soon after the public tender and the frequency authorisations are issued the digital radio will actually be launched."

In December 2024, it issued a further update, stating: "The test period will end in the early months of 2025 due to a public call for tenders. During the tender procedure, permanent frequency authorisations will be issued for the construction of the nationwide network and the provision of network services." The TTJA's website has also published information on the 174-225 MHz band for coordinated radio transmitters.

DAB+ trials from 2022

DAB+ digital radio is currently in a trial phase in Estonia, allowing market players and listeners to try out the new technology.

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia published a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023.

Levira, in cooperation with Duo Media Networks and Mediainvest Holdings, has now started testing DAB+. The first DAB+ transmitter was launched in Tallinn TV tower on 28 November 2022 at 15.20, The signal from the Tallinn and Pehka transmitters will be broadcast on DAB+ channel 10A and the Koeru transmitter will be on 7A.

On 22 December 2022, the Koeru transmitter extended digital radio coverage to Central Estonia. A DAB+ transmitter will start operating in the Haljala municipality of Pehka in early 2023.

Currently in the ensemble managed by Levira, 14 radio stations can be heard on DAB+, and the ensemble is now full. Duo Media Networks' radio stations Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, Narodnoe Radio, DFM and new digital-only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as Star FM Eesti, Klassikaraadio, Äripäev Raadio, Tre Raadio and Power Hit Radio are testing digital radio.

In May 2023, a new ensemble was launched for testing by Duo Media Networks in the second biggest Estonian town of Tartu, and the third biggest, Pärnu. The ensemble currently includes seven stations from Duo Media Networks: Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, and new digital-only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as religious stations Pereraadio and Semeinoje Eli. Additional stations are expected to be added in the near future.

The three Levira ensembles and two Duo Media Networks ensembles together now cover 75% of the Estonian population.

Last update: 07.09.2023 - older versions

Regions: Harju county (including Tallinn), Järva county (Koeru), Lääne-Virumaa county (Pehka), Pärnu county (Pärnu) and Tartu county (Tartu).

Coverage of population: aprox. 75 %

Coverage of territory: aprox. 45%

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 3 Trial

on air.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	25	14	39

Last update: 27.11.2023 - older versions

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia has announced a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023.

The trial period will run until 30 June 2024, and more detailed principles can be found here.

Levira, in cooperation with Duo Media Networks and Mediainvest Holdings, has now started testing DAB+. The first DAB+ transmitter was launched in Tallinn TV tower on 28 November at 15.20, The signal from the Tallinn and Pehka transmitters will be broadcast on DAB+ channel 10A and the Koeru transmitter will be on 7A.

On 22 December 2022, the Koeru transmitter extended digital radio coverage to Central Estonia. A DAB+ transmitter will start operating in the Haljala municipality of Pehka in early 2023.

Currently, 26 radio stations can be listened to on DAB+, with more to follow soon. Duo Media Networks' radio stations Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, Narodnoe Radio, DFM and new digital only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as Star FM Eesti, Klassikaraadio, Äripäev Raadio, Tre Raadio and Power Hit Radio are testing digital radio.

In May 2023 a new ensemble was launched for testing by Duo Media Networks in the second biggest Estonian town, Tartu and the third biggest town, Pärnu. The ensemble currently includes 7 stations from Duo Media Networks: Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, and new digital only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as relegious stations Pereraadio and Semeinoje Eli additional stations will be added in the near future.

The first trial of DAB multiplex was held from 2000-2005.

Estonia to issue call for DAB+ tenders in early 2025

13.12.2024 - Estonia

Estonia's TTJA has published an update on testing of DAB+. The regulator says: "Testing of the upgraded DAB+ standard in the 174-225 MHz band started in November 2022. The test period will end in the early months of 2025 due to a public call for tenders. During the tender procedure, permanent frequency authorisations will be issued for the construction of the nationwide network and the provision of network services." The TTJA's website has also published information on the 174-225 MHz band for coordinated radio transmitters.

((Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA)) Read more

Three new DAB+ radio stations in Estonia

04.11.2024 - Estonia

As of 1 November, Estonia has three new radio stations on DAB+ from NOSTALGIA MEDIA, a media company known for its successful RADIO NOSTALGIA project, which is loved by listeners for its atmosphere and quality sound. The new stations are a variety of music formats: RADIO TOP is an Estonian-language radio station that offers modern hits and new releases of this year. NOVOYE RADIO is a Russian language radio station that emphasises music from the current year. ALL THE BEST RADIO is a premium radio station broadcasting in Estonian language, oriented towards people who like a variety of hits from the past and modern hits.

(Delfi Meedia) Read more

Estonian regulator extends DAB+ trial, prepares licensing competition

12.12.2023 - Estonia

Digital radio (DAB+) trials in Estonia started last year, and now the Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision Authority (CTSA) has drawn up new principles on how to proceed with the trials and has started to prepare a competition for frequency licences. The testing period for digital radio in Estonia started last year and was initially due to run until the end of December, but was extended until the last day of June next year. Once the test period is over, frequency authorisations for digital radios will be issued following an open call for tenders. The first official digital radio programmes should therefore be broadcast in Estonia in the second half of next year.

(Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR)) Read more

Nearly 20 DAB+ digital radio channels can now be heard in Tallinn and Harju County

30.11.2023 - Estonia

Levira has launched a second digital radio DAB+ transmitter in Tallinn's Teletower, bringing the number of digital radio stations in Tallinn and Harju County to nearly twenty. Levira is testing DAB+, a digital radio service that is widely used in Europe, in cooperation with radio stations. The new transmitter will be launched on DAB+ channel 10D and will have a slightly different coverage area from the first transmitter on channel 10A, being more oriented towards Tallinn city centre and transmitting in horizontal polarisation. The new transmitter will be launched in cooperation with Duo Media Networks, and from the moment of its launch you will be able to listen to five new radio stations, which have not been available in Tallinn and Harju County so far.

(Levira) Read more

Estonia's first ever Ukrainian-language radio station launches this Friday

14.11.2023 - Estonia

This Friday sees the launch of Estonia's first ever Ukrainian-language radio station. "DRUZI" is a new platform that bridges two cultures, allowing audiences to enjoy Estonian and Ukrainian music as well as providing news and information. With more than 120,000 Ukrainian refugees arriving in the country since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion last February, Estonia's Ukrainian diaspora has quadrupled. To listen, set up your car radio to digital DRUZI radio (DAB+).

(ERR News) Read more

Estonian Radio 2's new digital radio channel offers alternative pop around the clock

12.10.2023 - Estonia

In October, Radio 2 launched a new sister series - the digital radio channel R2 Altpop. The chatter- and commercial-free channel features alternative pop all day, every day. The R2 Altpop DAB channel plays alternative music from Estonian and foreign artists. Digiradio R2 Altpop is R2's first test channel of its kind, free of news, chat and mainstream music. The Altpop channel is suitable for listeners who want a change from chart hits. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is the standard for digital radio broadcasting. To listen to a DAB channel, you need a device with DAB+ signal reception support. Most newer cars have DAB+ reception, and some radios support it. The R2 Altpop channel can be found alongside other DAB channels.

(ERR Eesti Rahvusringhääling) Read more

DAB+ emergency warning test in Estonia

19.09.2023 - Estonia

In March this year, the CREVEX complex exercise began, which has involved several months of exercises in different security and internal security agencies. Kadi Luht-Kallas, adviser to the Rescue and Safety Policy Department of the Ministry of the Interior, told Digigenius that the test, which will take place today at 19.30, can be said to be a quick pre-test for DAB+. "For up to 60 seconds, Klassikaraadio will be routed to the channel and a text about the test will be displayed, after which the radio itself should move back to the previous setting, but this may vary depending on the device," she described.

(Digigenius) Read more

Estonia regulator TTJA launches public consultation on digital radio

15.09.2023 - Estonia

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia has sent out an invitation to market players and stakeholders to participate in a public consultation to identify their interests and expectations regarding the introduction of digital radio and to plan the use of the 174-230 MHz band. "Through this public consultation, we want to identify the interests and expectations of all stakeholders in the field of digital radio," said Erko Kulu, Head of the Frequency Management Unit of the TTJA. DAB+ digital radio is currently in a trial phase in Estonia, allowing market players and listeners to try out the new technology. The test period will last until the end of 2023.

(Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA)) Read more

Testing of digital radio in Estonia will continue until the end of the year

29.06.2023 - Estonia

The testing period for the DAB+ digital radio service, which started at the end of last year, is extended until 31 December 2023. Digital radio test transmitters are operating in the Tallinn TV Tower, in Koeru and in Pehka in Haljala Rural Municipality. Duo Media Networks has also installed test transmitters in Pärnu and Tartu. "The tests confirm that the new generation digital radio is much more advanced. Signal quality and availability in the planned coverage area sometimes even exceeded expectations. We intend to launch the transmitter on the Valgjärve mast in the autumn, fulfilling the initial plan to create a test opportunity for the entire Tallinn-Luhamaa route. One of the reasons for extending the testing period is listener interest and positive feedback - many people want to listen to digital radio in their cars, especially in summer," said Cristo Kaasan, Levira's Director of Technology and IT.

(Postimees) Read more

New Russian-language radio station in Estonia

07.06.2023 - Estonia

As of June 1, 2023, a new radio station, Radio Nostalgia, was introduced to the Estonian airwaves. The station is unique in that it does not broadcast on FM, but on the digital format DAB+, which is new to Estonia. The music playlist on Nostalgia Radio consists of the good old hits from the '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s and songs from recent years in Russian, Ukrainian, Estonian, English, Italian, Spanish and other languages.

(Delfi) Read more