Turkey

Last update: 25.02.2025 - older versions

On 13 February 2025, Turkey officially launched DAB+ broadcasts. 12 channels are broadcast from the Çamlıca Tower in Istanbul by Kule A.Ş. on frequency band 12C.

Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, announced that they have switched to Digital Audio Broadcast Plus (DAB+) technology for the first time in Turkey. Minister Uraloğlu stated that DAB+ is a technology that offers a clear sound experience free from interference and increases frequency efficiency with its capacity to host multiple radio channels on the same frequency. 

Underlining that there is currently no FM frequency available in Istanbul, Uraloğlu said, ‘But now that we have started DAB+ broadcasts, we have eliminated this situation. Thanks to this new technology, we will be able to provide 448 new frequencies according to incoming requests. Already 12 radio channels, both public and private, are starting to serve with this new technology. We believe that the number of radio channels that want to benefit from this technology will increase exponentially, especially after today's introduction ceremony, thanks to the service quality and energy saving advantage it offers. We will experience a crystal clear sound experience from the radio.’ 

Minister Uraloğlu stated that this is not only a technological development but also an innovation that will deeply affect cultural and social life and said, 'Of course, it is not a coincidence that we are taking such a big step in Çamlıca Tower, which is the highest tower in Europe with a height of 587 meters above sea level.'

Prior to this, TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) started DAB test broadcasts in Ankara in March 2002 to pioneer the transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting in Turkey.

DAB+ test broadcasts started in May 2017, and have been continuing in four provinces for about eight years using frequency band 12B. DAB+ broadcasts consisting of Radyo-1, TRT-FM, Radyo-3, TRT-Nağme, TRT-Türkü, TRT-Haber, TRT-World, Sada Al-Furat radios continue in Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa and Kocaeli. Due to a fault, these broadcasts were temporarily off air in February 2025.