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Poland

Last update: 05.03.2024 - older versions

Regular multiplexes were launched by Polskie Radio in Warsaw and Katowice in October 2013 and four more cities in 2014. A further 12 cities launched in Spring 2015 – bringing population coverage to 53.8%. In December 2015 Polskie Radio switched on a digital transmitter in Solec Kujawski, thereby increasing the total national DAB+ signal to 55.6% of the Polish population.

Representatives of Polish radio stations discussed the potential transition to broadcasting in DAB+ during a conference held in May 2018 to discuss the country's radio future, with 37 frequencies to be distributed to 34 cities. KRRiT chairman Witold Kołodziejski said that the organisation was considering DAB+ as the sole successor to FM in Poland, as analogue frequencies were now exhausted.

In May 2019, KRRiT, the National Broadcasting Council of Poland announced the start of a competition for regional and local broadcasters to carry out the creation of new DAB+ multiplexes in 34 cities across Poland.

By January 2020, KRRiT granted fifty DAB+ licenses for the local multiplexes in Warsaw, Toruń, Poznań, Katowice, Tarnów, Rzeszów and Częstochowa. The winners of the competitions for local mux technical operators are PSN Infrastruktura (2 local mux’s) and DABCOM (5 local mux’s). The start (planned by the end of 2021) of the regular transmissions is under preparation.

In October 2021 a new call for tenders for the next DAB+ local licenses as well as for Mux 1, which is dedicated to national non-public broadcasters, was put out. Up until this point, coverage was focused more on cities and with this expansion it will cover more of the main roads.

By March 2024, total DAB+ coverage in Poland had reached 87.7% of the population and 75% of the territory.

Last update: 05.03.2024 - older versions

A detailed list and information on the parameters of DAB+ transmitters in Poland are available on the network provider EmiTel website where data is updated on regular basis.

English version: https://emitel.pl/en/strefa-klienta-2/odbior-rtv/sprawdz-parametry-emisji/

There is an internet forum (Polish only) where people can share experiences on reception, receiver availability and features, get information about future plans and discuss digital radio implementation strategies: http://forum.emitel.pl.

By March 2024, total DAB+ coverage in Poland had reached 87.7% of the population and 75% of the territory.

Map showing DAB+ coverage in Poland at March 2024

DAB+ coverage in Poland, March 2024

Map showing DAB+ coverage in the Lower Silesia region of Poland at March 2024

DAB+ coverage in Lower Silesia region, Poland, March 2024

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 17 Regular
Local multiplexes: 9 Trial

on air.

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

After the switch off of analogue TV in 2013, Polskie Radio started two regular DAB+ transmissions with four national simulcast services (Jedynka, Dwojka, Trojka, Czworka, Polish Radio External Service), three exclusive DAB+ services (Polskie Radio 24, Radio Poland and Radio Rytm) and two regional simulcast services (supplied by public regional radio stations, depending on region).

Ultimately 5 unique national and 1 unique regional DAB+ services will be broadcast. The multiplex will contain solely public radio services.

Jedynka
News & current affairs, sports, culture and mainstream music
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Dwójka
A program for connoisseurs of highbrow music and literature.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Trójka
Cult music and current affairs station.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Czwórka
About the young, for the young.
The latest trends in music and culture.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Radio Poland
Radio Poland's international network for expatriate communities in Poland.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Polskie Radio 24
Polish Radio’s news & current affairs network.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Radio Rytm
Easy-listening music and news.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Radio Katowice
Regional broadcaster with the widest coverage in Poland.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Polskie Radio RDC (Polish Radio RDC)
Traditions of Polish Radio in the Mazovia region coupled with 21st century dynamics.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
October 1, 2013

Dzieciom
A station for kids and their parents.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions

fourth quarter of 2014

Polskie Radio dla Seniorow
For the young at heart.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
2015

Polskie Radio Edukacyjne
Popular science for the young.
Launch of DAB+ transmissions
2015

Slideshow is one of two must have functionalities of DAB in Poland. All services broadcast in DAB use DLS and SLS services. Additionally Journaline and EPG are also broadcast together with Polskie Radio and Radio Lodz.

Some of the SLS services on air are very simple (station logo or some DAB promotional pictures) and some are more dynamic. Radio Wroclaw uses SLS for news and slides are being refreshed according to new items appearing on their website.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	85	90	175
Data services	1	0	1
Total	86	90	176

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In March 2024, it was reported that "additional obligations may soon be imposed on the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE)."

"The government's draft Electronic Communications Act stipulates that cars must be equipped with DAB+ receivers. The Ministry of Digitalisation tells Wirtualnemedia.pl that the UKE President is to monitor compliance with these regulations."

"According to the 2020 regulations of the Minister of Digitalisation, from 1 January 2021 all new cars should be equipped with DAB+ tuners. Until 31 March last year, the obligation could be treated as optional by manufacturers or dealers. It happened that the tuner supported digital radio, but this functionality was only unlocked at a surcharge. In vehicles manufactured from 1 April 2023, DAB+ tuners must already be available. Once the new regulations come into force, it will be possible to verify compliance."

Last update: 10.08.2017 - older versions

DAB+ receivers are available through retailers and internet shops. Offers are extended almost every day as digital radio extends coverage and is being noticed by importers, retailers and listeners.

ZIPSEE Digital Poland asks for clear rules for DAB+ receivers

In August 2017, the Polish association of importers and manufacturers of electrical appliances and electronics, ZIPSEE Digital Poland, sent a letter to Minister of Digitisation Anna Strezynska, requesting a regulation stating the minimum technical requirements for digital radio receivers. The companies belonging to the association complain of unfair competition from sellers of digital receivers using the old DAB standard, while Poland has adopted DAB+.

According to research from GFK Poland, 10% of all digital radio receivers sold since the end of September 2016 were of the old, DAB standard. These are not compatible with the DAB+ signal and consumers have been misled by retailers selling the non-compliant receivers, who have exploited shoppers' lack of knowledge.

Last update: 08.05.2019 - older versions

Polish broadcast operator BCAST has launched DAB+ test services in Warsaw, Wroclaw and Gdansk using the DABCAST system SFN model.

Last update: 15.08.2023 - older versions

There are two regulators for broadcasting media in Poland. The National Broadcasting Council manages and issues licences, while the Office of Electronic Communications governs the frequency spectrum. The two bodies work closely together.

Polish frequency plans for T-DAB contain three multiplexes located in the VHF Band III and will be started after the switch off of analogue TV in 2013.

Regulation published by the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs on 9 November 2020 states that DAB+ became mandatory in category M new vehicles on 1 January 2021, according to the Ordinance of the Minister of Digitisation. (The mentioned Ordinance is an executive act of the Telecommunications Law and is effective from the date indicated therein)

Background:

On 4 November 2020, the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs published an amendment to regulation that had been published on 14 February 2020, clarifying the technical and performance requirements for radio equipment intended for the reception of digital radio in category M vehicles. The November amendment came into force on 1 January 2021. In particular, the ordinance clarifies the details of some functions (DL, Slide Show, Service following) and specifies the date of April 1, 2023 as the point from which these requirements became mandatory.

Last update: 08.03.2019 - older versions

KRRiT (the National Broadcasting Council of Poland) has launched a website dedicated to digital radio broadcasting (http://www.krrit.gov.pl/radio-cyfrowe).

The website contains reports, information on conferences, seminars and workshops about DAB+ technology as well as links to other pages related to this topic. KRRiT encourages experts interested in the subject to visit their website and add their articles, presentations or case studies.

As part of a media campaign in 2015, a promotional video was created by Polskie Radio to highlight the benefits of listening to radio on DAB+. Entitled, "Digital radio gives you more.", the video communicates the additional benefits of listening to radio on a DAB+ device; better sound, more choice, more content.

Polish Radio DAB+ multiplex from Głobikowa

22.04.2024 - Poland

Dębica, Ropczyce and Sędziszów Małopolski, all located in the Podkarpackie Voivodship, are the latest cities in Poland where reception of the Polish Radio's DAB+ multiplex has improved in the last six months. This is a result of the launch of the penultimate of the transmitters announced in last year's tender - in Głobikowa on channel 11A. According to Emitel, the transmitter was launched on 16 April at 17:35. The ERP power is 5 kW. As part of the Subcarpathian multiplex, it is possible to receive Jedynka, Dwójka, Trójka, Czwórka, Polskie Radio 24, Polskie Radio Kierowców, Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Polskie Radio Chopin, Radio Poland, Polskie Radio dla Ukrainy and Radio Rzeszów. The last of the planned locations is Żelazno near Choczew in Pomerania. This transmitter is not expected to be launched until next month at the earliest.

(RadioPolska) Read more

New station on DAB+ in Katowice

09.04.2024 - Poland

Radio Piekary has been added to DABCOM's local multiplex in Katowice. Thus, nine stations can be listened to via the mux in the Silesian capital. In addition to Radio Piekary, the Katowice DABCOM multiplex currently includes: Radio Profeto, WP Radio, Muzo.FM, Mega Radio, Disco Radio, Radio Nuta, Radio Imperium and Radio Express. The broadcast is carried on channel 12C. As radiopolska.pl reports, the broadcast of Radio Piekary is experimental. The other radio stations have received licences from the National Radio and Television Council. All stations broadcast at a bitrate of 128 kbps.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

Polsat's test MUX may continue until March 2025

25.03.2024 - Poland

BCAST, which belongs to the Polsat Plus Group, is allowed to broadcast an experimental DAB+ multiplex in Katowice for another year. The decision in this case was issued by the Office of Electronic Communications. The decision allowing BCAST sp. z o.o. to test DAB+ in Katowice was issued on 12 March 2024 and is valid for one year. The DABCAST multiplex of the Polsat Plus Group-linked BCAST in Katowice is broadcast on channel 10B. It includes: Muzyczne Radio from Jelenia Góra, Radio Niepokalanów, Radio Jasna Góra, Radio Bezpieczna Podróż, Radio Muzo.FM and Radio Maryja. The multiplex transmitter was placed on the Altus skyscraper in Katowice.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

Polish government preparing to check radios in cars

21.03.2024 - Poland

From 1 April 2023, all newly manufactured cars had to be equipped with DAB+ tuners. The Ministry of Digitalisation is working on a law that will enable checks to be carried out. If such a car is found not to have the correct radio, hefty fines will be rained down. The obligation to fit DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus) tuners in cars has been in force for a year, but so far no checks have been carried out. The obligation to install receivers with DAB+ tuners stems from a decree of the Minister of Digitalisation of 14 February 2020. The requirements apply to consumer equipment for the reception of digital radio transmissions. In theory, this obligation already came into force on 1 January 2021, but it did not have to be fully implemented until 1 April 2023.

(Auto Świat) Read more

Sales of radio receivers are growing in Poland

07.03.2024 - Poland

The market in Poland for devices allowing the reception of radio stations in FM, DAB+ or via the internet amounted to 1.1 million units in 2023, according to GfK data made available to Wirtualnemedia.pl. This is an increase of 14 per cent compared to 2022. The average price of radio receivers last year was PLN 312 (€73). The share of DAB+ and Internet tuners was identical at 6.7 percent. The share of receivers that can receive both DAB+ and Internet radio was 2.3 per cent. For comparison, 950,000 radio tuners were sold in 2022.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

UKE to monitor whether cars have DAB+ receivers

04.03.2024 - Poland

Additional obligations may soon be imposed on the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE). The government's draft Electronic Communications Act stipulates that cars must be equipped with DAB+ receivers. The Ministry of Digitalisation tells Wirtualnemedia.pl that the UKE President is to monitor compliance with these regulations. According to the 2020 regulations of the Minister of Digitalisation, from 1 January 2021 all new cars should be equipped with DAB+ tuners. Until 31 March last year, the obligation could be treated as optional by manufacturers or dealers. It happened that the tuner supported digital radio, but this functionality was only unlocked at a surcharge. In vehicles manufactured from 1 April 2023, DAB+ tuners must already be available. Once the new regulations come into force, it will be possible to verify compliance.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

A new DAB+ multiplex in Poland within weeks

22.02.2024 - Poland

Radio Fama from Kielce is completing preparations for the launch of an experimental DAB+ multiplex in the city. Jan Jagielski, president of the Fama Radio and Television Agency, tells Wirtualnemedia.pl that the matter is at the stage of technical arrangements. "I think it is a matter of a month and a half and we will act," he adds. The Fama Radio and Television Agency from Kielce obtained permission from the Office of Electronic Communications to operate the DAB+ experimental multiplex in mid-2022. Although the MUX has not started, the UKE extended the permission in June last year and it is valid until 1 July 2024.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

Radio Gdańsk on DAB+ is now broadcasting the Slupsk programme

05.02.2024 - Poland

Since 1 February Radio Gdańsk has also been broadcasting a Slupsk city programme on the second DAB+ channel. On DAB Regions you can listen to Radio Gdańsk's local programmes from Slupsk and Station Kaszuby. "DAB+ gives listeners a much wider choice of programming. The digital channel accommodates many more programmes, while the analogue FM or AM band gives the possibility to receive only a few/more stations," explains Andrzej Dubas, chief engineer of Radio Gdańsk.

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more

Further expansion of DAB+ coverage in Poland in March and May

30.01.2024 - Poland

PSN Infrastruktura has launched a DAB+ transmitter in Włocławek. Emitel informs Wirtualnemedia.pl that there are still seven sites left to complete the process of extending the reach of the Polish Radio multiplex. As many as five of them are expected to be launched later this month. Polish Radio's DAB+ multiplex is now operational in Włocławek and the surrounding area. The broadcast on channel 11A from the facility in Szpetal Górny is carried with a power of 2.4 kW.

(WirtualneMedia.pl) Read more

Polish Radio bosses: "The DAB+ project is good, it is developing"

29.01.2024 - Poland

Wirtualnemedia.pl speaks to Polish Radio's new editor-in-chief Paweł Majcher. Does the company want to spend as much on DAB+ digital broadcasting as in previous years? Will all stations broadcasting in this standard continue to operate? "I think that when it comes to costs, it does not matter whether we are talking about one or five stations. In general, DAB+ broadcasting is definitely cheaper than FM. The DAB+ project is good, it is developing. I am planning a meeting with the president of Emitel regarding the continuation of the project," Majcher says. "Commercial stations are reluctant to join this solution because they fear losing their existing revenues. They fear a change in the advertising market. However, we think it is inevitable."

(Wirtualnemedia.pl) Read more