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Czech Radio plans to launch eight new transmitters for its multiplex ČRo DAB+ before the end of this year. It is continuing to thicken the Czech Republic's only DAB+ network and improve indoor coverage. In cooperation with Czech Radio, the public broadcaster will put into operation three kilowatt transmitters in Hradec Králové, Domažlice and Valašské Klobouky, and another five 100-watt repeaters in Ústí nad Labem, Most, Želené Ruda, Svitavy and Krnov. Karel Zýka, the technical director of the Czech Radio, announced this at the Radiokomunikace 2023 conference in Pardubice last week.

On 23 October 2023, the Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) has started the auction part of the selection procedure, i.e. the electronic auction. The ČTÚ expects to award the allocations by the end of the year. The auction is organised using the combinatorial auction method and in four auction phases, in which the auction blocks will be allocated successively among the successful bidders. In the first phase, bids are invited for auction blocks suitable for nationwide networks, in the second phase for auction blocks for networks covering several regions and in the third phase for auction blocks allowing coverage of individual regions only.

Radio Orient will complete its network in the coming months, following the decision by the regulatory authority to grant it 9 new broadcasting areas, including Évreux, Laval, Valence, Fréjus, Beauvais, Compiègne, Ploërmel, Saint-Brieuc and Vitré. The coverage of these sectors goes beyond the broadcasting areas announced, not only because DAB+ technology provides better coverage (and improved sound quality), but also because Radio Orient is licensed on an extended basis in most of these sectors, which provides wider coverage.

There is as yet no prospect of white smoke in the Flemish digital frequency plan (DAB+) dossier, according to Flemish media minister Benjamin Dalle's (CD&V) answer to a written question by Flemish MP Klaas Slootmans (VB). "Negotiations with neighbouring countries are ongoing. As stated earlier, neighbouring countries have amended DAB+ plans and mutually global agreements are being sought with most neighbouring countries. Another series of administrative-level meetings are planned this autumn with Germany, France, the Netherlands and the UK."

Radio Vidovdan can now also be heard on the DAB+ mux Hessen Süd (channel 12C). The programme for migrants from the former Yugoslavia was previously broadcast in the muxes Hessen Nord (channel 6A) and Bad Kreuznach (channel 12A). Radio Vidovdan broadcasts regional information in Serbo-Croatian as well as music from Balkan countries.

The Media Council of the Bavarian regulatory authority for new media (BLM) wants to decide on the Audio Strategy 2025 in its meeting on 7 December 2023. The audio strategy is a model developed by the BLM which orients the upcoming migration from FM to DAB+ to milestones of market development and not to a fixed switchover date. Dr. Thorsten Schmiege, President of the BLM: "The figures presented in the audio strategy are clear. Too early or too late migration would lead to a loss of diversity - but timely migration means maintaining local radio diversity, especially in rural areas. That's why with the Audio Strategy 2025 we are relying on a solidarity model that takes large and small stations along. I am convinced that the industry must act together and focus on DAB+ in terms of distribution and financing."

The Czech Telecommunications Office is finalising preparations for the launch of the live auction phase, in which it plans to distribute up to two nationwide and 27 regional networks to operators. Jiří Duchač, director of the ČTÚ's spectrum management department, announced this at the Radiokomunikace 2023 industry conference on Tuesday. According to him, the long-awaited operation was delayed by a bug in the auction software. The live phase is currently scheduled to start on Monday 23 October for all participating operators with the appropriate financial guarantee. In total, the CTU plans to distribute up to two nationwide and 27 regional networks.

České Radiokomunikace is currently working intensively on the preparation of eight new transmitters, which should complete the network of the CRo DAB+ multiplex by the end of this year at the latest. The construction of the new sites may be complicated, for example, by adverse weather conditions. "I expect that it could be launched within a month, but the deadline is no later than the end of the year. Currently, the technical implementation of the new sites is underway," said Karel Zýka, director of the Czech Radio's Technical and Administration Department.

The Medientage München will take place from 25-27 October. Under the motto "Intelligence", over 100 sessions will take place in the conference as well as selected master classes over three days. Bayern Digital Radio will focus on the topic of "Green Radio" in this year's presentation. Based on the study of the same name by Bayerischer Rundfunk and the BLM, the presentation will show how radio can also make a contribution to overcoming the climate crisis and achieving the climate goals, and what role DAB+ plays in this. DAB+ radios from Albrecht, Imperial, Sangean, Soundmaster and TechniSat, among others, will be on display.

Initially, DAB+ broadcasting was only possible in Warsaw and Katowice. In 2020, Polskie Radio launched further DAB+ transmitters in important conurbations. "By the end of September 2023, we had 41 broadcasting sites. New stations have already been launched in recent days, and from 1 October these are: Jelenia Góra, Trzebnica, Zakopane and Rabka," informs Marek Walczyk. "In several locations the power of the stations has been increased, while it is likely that several more stations will be added by the end of the year. A bigger change will take place after the New Year, when we will reach a total of 81 stations, i.e. twice as many as we had reached by 30 September," he emphasises.