Category: News

Like in previous years, Emitel has compiled a report outlining its key ESG activities. For three years now, the company has published reports in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative’s 2021 international reporting standards.

Over the past year, Emitel has been actively involved in a number of initiatives aimed at safeguarding the environment, supporting people in greatest need and developing civil society. These efforts ranged from educational support, promoting equal opportunities at work and charity campaigns, which were opportunities to bring our staff together as well. We also continued the ongoing solar power upgrade projects on our sites.

“Sustainability is neither a fad nor something to be done for show, but a long-term strategy that has a significant impact on our company, our stakeholders and society. At Emitel, we have been continuously fostering an understanding of the principles of sustainability, and we are showcasing the results achieved in the past year in our next ESG report.” – said Andrzej J. Kozłowski – President of the Management Board of Emitel S.A.

Emitel’s ESG policy for 2021-2025 has been formulated in consideration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Within the framework of the adopted strategy, Emitel consistently strives to align its operations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the company has been setting ambitious goals concerning project management and reducing its environmental impact. Furthermore, Emitel has been actively committed to improving energy efficiency along with waste and wastewater management as well as the protection of endangered species.

Sustainability is the cornerstone of the future of business. A responsible ESG reporting framework plays a key role in achieving this goal. That is why Emitel’s ESG policy for 2021-2025 has been formulated in consideration of the UN Global Compact guidelines.
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Full text of the report: https://www.emitel.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/60831_raport_-ESG_2023-8_eng.pdf

Executive summary of the ESG Report (web version): https://raportesg.emitel.pl/en/

Emitel has just finished its preparations for launching the Emitel Drone Labs project – an initiative aimed at testing industrial drones used for deliveries, medical purposes, measuring, as well as ensuring safety and security. The test bed was installed in the Silesian and Low Beskids, giving a new purpose to the company’s high-rise infrastructure. Emitel also chose to open its environment for companies, organisations and start-ups developing their UAV technologies, which are looking for partners and opportunities to test their solutions.

Under current European Union regulations, airspaces combining unmanned and manned aircraft operations (so-called U-Spaces) require a specialised integrated network. What is more, these unmanned aerial vehicles need to constantly report their current location to ground-based receivers and other aircraft in the area in order to be able to operate in our skies. The infrastructure owned and operated by Emitel, including masts and towers with the height exceeding 300 metres located all around Poland, enables the company to build a comprehensive solution and broadcast signals to all receivers in the country.

“Using unmanned aerial vehicles for deliveries, medical transport and automated measurements at a scale is coming in near future, which is why Emitel is joining the initiatives to build these so-called U-Spaces, as well as other projects and efforts aimed at making this vision a reality. The goal of our tests is to build the knowledge and competencies of our experts, bringing us closer to commercialising these solutions. We are also open to working with start-ups, as well as more experienced partners in this area. Something that is important to note is that all tests taking place as part of the Emitel Drone Labs initiative will be based on methodologies that ensure complete safety to local communities. What is more, this is one of the first projects of this kind in Poland,” said Andrzej J. Kozłowski, President of the Management Board of Emitel S.A.

According to the authors of the Burza. Rynek dronów w Polsce [Storm. Drone Market in Poland] report, released by the Micromacro Institute Foundation and the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, the Urban Air Mobility vision envisaging widespread drone use spurred the decision-makers to focus on these issues. For several years now, there are companies in Europe blazing the trail for drones, which they perceive as an effective solution for the issues plaguing urban mobility and delivery of goods. Drones are also an opportunity to reach previously unheard of levels of quality of services, all thanks to shorter delivery times and ability to reach areas unreachable by other means of transportation.

Emitel’s ambition to develop a new UAV business line led the company to start working on various initiatives, carrying out preparatory works and tests in collaboration with experienced partners. Within the framework of the newly-launched project, Emitel offers partners in all industries, as well as public entities, an opportunity to participate in the testing initiatives. Integrating the network over a large area will enable the testing of diverse flight scenarios and conditions and a wide range of UAVs, as well as communications, high quality video transmission and remote identification technologies available on the market.

If you are interested in participating in the tests, please send a message to: dronelabs@emitel.pl

An agreement concluded between Emitel and Red Carpet TV sp. z o.o., a subsidiary of Red Carpet Media Group S.A. envisages providing access to the MUX-8 multiplex required for launching the new CTV9 channel. The agreement was concluded for 10 years.

CTV9’s regular broadcast is scheduled to start on 18 March 2024. The launch will be preceded by a short test broadcast starting on March 15.

The launch follows Red Carpet TV sp. z o.o. securing a license granted by the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), which allows the company to broadcast its CTV9 channel on MUX-8. The new channel will offer its viewers a diverse offering of films and documentaries.

CTV9 will be broadcast around the clock, focusing on feature films, TV series and documentary productions. In addition, the channel’s agenda will also include educational shows, targeting viewers in the 30 to 80 age groups.

Some of the most interesting offerings launched by Red Carpet TV for the audiences include Kroniki popkultury (Popculture Chronicles) devoted to feature films, music and books, as well as Świat w dokumencie (World in Documentaries). What is more, CTV9 will broadcast popular TV series, including the musical soap opera Queen Of Flow, as well as other new releases available on global streaming platforms.

As of today, MUX-8 broadcasts a number of channels, including Nowa TV, Zoom TV, WP and Metro TV. CTV9 will be listed as channel 50 in the digital terrestrial television system. Channels broadcast via MUX-8 are available across approximately 98% of Polish territories. Digital terrestrial television provides high quality picture and sound, all while offering a number of additional features for Internet-enabled receivers.

MUX-8 channels are broadcast in the VHF band, using the DVB-T MPEG-4 standard. At the outset of 2024, Emitel submitted a request to the President of the Office of Electronic Communication to change the reservation decision for MUX-8 as its operator. The request concerns DVB-T2 broadcasting. As of now, the company is waiting for an official response.

“Terrestrial television remains one of the most popular ways of watching TV content in Poland. We are glad that Red Carpet TV sp. z o.o. has decided to expand its scope by joining forces with Emitel to include its channel on the MUX-8. We are certain that this cooperation will prove beneficial to the broadcaster, all while making the channel offering more attractive for Polish audiences,” said Maciej Staszak, Vice President of the Management Board of Emitel and the company’s Sales Director.

“We are looking forward to working with EMITEL on the terrestrial broadcasting of CTV9, not least because of the additional opportunities provided by Emitel’s platform. Some of them include  an extensive HbbTV feature set, as well as capabilities to include targeted advertising based on geotargeting, which we are looking forward to using in an extensive manner,” said Leszek Kulak, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Red Carpet Media Group S.A. and President of the Management Board of Red Carpet TV Sp. z o.o.

 

 

 

The switchover to the new DVB-T2/HEVC broadcasting standard will be carried out by Emitel specialists in two stages: on December 15 and 19. The change of the current broadcasting system from DVB-T/MPEG-4 to DVB-T2/HEVC is related to the refarming project, i.e. the release of the 700 MHz frequency for the 5G mobile network. The original date for the MUX3 switchover, planned for 2022, was postponed at the request of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration due to the war in Ukraine (the need to ensure access to information as well as the functioning of the RSO system).

The first stage of the switchover to the new standard will be carried out on the night of December 14 to 15 and will cover the western part of Poland, i.e. the following provinces: Zachodniopomorskie, Pomorskie, Lubuskie, Wielkopolskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Dolnośląskie, Opolskie and Śląskie. In the second stage, on the night of December 18 to 19, the switchover will take place in the eastern part of Poland, i.e. in the following provinces: Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, Świętokrzyskie, Małopolskie and Podkarpackie.

The activities planned for December are a continuation of the Emitel-led process of refarming the 700 MHz band, i.e. moving terrestrial TV multiplexes from the 694-790 MHz frequency to the lower 470-694 MHz band and changing the broadcasting standard to DVB-T2/HEVC. Nearly 300 Emitel experts and about 300 employees from 40 external companies were involved in the project, and the work involved more than 130,000 man-hours. By the Decree of the Office of Electronic Communication of June 7, 2022, the change in broadcasting standard did not include the MUX3 multiplex in 2022, and the public broadcaster was allowed to broadcast its programs in the DVB-T standard until the end of 2023 at the latest.

Once the changes have been made, a large proportion of TV sets or set-top boxes should update the program list themselves. For some TV receiver models, it may be necessary to search for channels again and update the program list on the remote control using commands from the receiver menu. Viewers with older TV receivers incompatible with the DVB-T2/HEVC standard will need to replace them or purchase a set-top box. It is not necessary to change the setting of the receiving antennas to receive the TV signal.

To provide viewers with additional time to tune in their receivers, TVP will carry out parallel broadcasts of selected programs on MUX3 and MUX6:

• TVP1, TVP2, TVP Info in the period from December 15, 2023 to January 12, 2024.
• TVP ABC and TVP Kultura in the period from December 19, 2023 to January 12, 2024.

Information on the planned changes and instructions on how to prepare for them can be found on the websites:

• https://telewizjanaziemna.pl/
• emitel.pl/refarming

Emitel has won a in the tender procedure for extending the coverage of the Polish Radio’s DAB+ multiplex with 17 regional radio stations, with 17 tasks. Upon completion of the implementation, the reach of Polish Radio’s digitally broadcast stations will include 75 percent of our country’s area and nearly 88 percent of the population.

Regular digital broadcasting in the DAB+ standard was launched in Poland on October 1, 2013. At first, the DAB+ digital signal was available in Warsaw and Katowice. Polish Radio currently has the largest coverage. Using DAB+ receivers, you can listen to broadcasts from: Polish Radio’s Jedynka, Dwójka, Trójka, and Czwórka, as well as Polskie Radio 24, Polskie Radio Chopin, Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Polskie Radio Kierowców, Polskie Radio for Ukraine, Radio Poland (in English, German, Ukrainian, among other languages), regional radio stations and their thematic channels.

The technical coverage of Polish Radio’s DAB+ broadcasts covers about 47 percent of Poland. Thus, the signal can be received by about 67 percent of listeners who have suitable receivers.

– We are proud that it is Emitel that will implement the next stage of expanding DAB+ coverage for Polish Radio and regional radio stations. Digital radio offers the possibility of broadcasting more channels, offers the best sound quality and additional features, such as the transmission of graphics or text, which can be displayed on a DAB+ receiver in the car or at home – said Maciej Staszak, Vice President of the Management Board of Emitel S.A.

Emitel’s offers for nationwide and regional multiplexing and DAB+ broadcasting have been selected by Polish Radio in the following cities: Koszalin, Olsztyn, Poznań, Rzeszów, Warsaw, Zielona Góra, Białystok, Gdańsk, Kielce, Kraków, Lublin, Szczecin, Wrocław, Katowice, Łódź and Opole, as well as in parts of the provinces where these cities are located. The contracts, totaling 59,478,687.68 PLN gross will run from October 1, 2023, to August 31, 2027.

Digital radio offers better sound quality without interference or distortion that can occur with analog radio. However, to access DAB+ radio broadcasts, a digital radio receiver compatible with this standard is essential. DAB+ offers not only sound but also the ability to display text and images, such as album covers, artist photos, station logos, a program guide, or traffic updates, especially on receivers with screens. Moreover, web page streaming is also a possibility.

The DAB+ platform will allow to build new services, unlike UKF, where the network’s capabilities have already been exhausted. DAB+ can also be used for emergency notifications provided by the Government Center for Security, once this network reaches 88% of the Polish population. With the additional features of DAB+, it will be possible to broadcast messages simultaneously on all programs, displaying text and infographics. Depending on the receiver, crisis messages will be able to be transmitted even when the receiver is inactive. The system will wake up the receiver itself and leave it on standby.

 

Emitel has signed a new Loan Facilities Agreement with a consortium of leading Polish and international banks, under which it has secured financing of up to PLN 1.57 billion of financing. The Agreement includes a Senior Secured term loan, a Capex Facility, and a Revolving Credit Facility. The consortium of Lenders includes those in the Company’s existing Facility Agreement together with new Financial Institutions.

The term loan tranches will be used to retire 2020 Facility, and the investment and revolving tranche will be applied to finance the company’s operational activities and investments, and acquisition plans. The agreement will mature in the second half of 2030. The closing of the transaction and the commencement of financing will take place when standard closing conditions are satisfied.

We are delighted with the support and recognition received from some of the leading Banks in Europe with respect to Emitel. Emitel is national champion in Poland with an outstanding management team, and continues to perform admirably. We look forward to working with Company and this group of institutions in the future to spur further growth of Emitel – said Steven Marshall, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Emitel S.A.

In recent years, Emitel has been implementing several strategic projects which have absorbed significant investments. One of the most important and at the same time most complicated projects was the process of refarming the 700 MHz band and changing the standard of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. The project, which has been implemented for over 3 years, is of fundamental importance for the television market and the future of the terrestrial television platform in Poland. Emitel also pursued a strategy for the segment of telecommunications services and infrastructure, consistently expanding the portfolio of high-altitude facilities. In June this year, Emitel acquired ATC Polska with 65 modern telecommunication towers. Currently, the company has 667 high-facilities objects and intends to continue to develop the base of facilities in Poland, nor does it exclude further acquisitions.

– The Company’s financing strategy assumes a successive reduction in the debt ratios of the company, and at the same time provides funds for development. We have obtained favorable conditions for the company, giving us space to operate efficiently for the next several years. I thank all the funding institutions for their trust and positive assessment of the company’s strategy and plans for growth beyond the current decade – said Maciej Pilipczuk, CFO, Member of the Management Board of Emitel S.A.

The consortium with which the agreement was signed included: Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A., PKO Bank Polski S.A., Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, PZU S.A., Bank Pekao S.A. (also acting as a Credit Agent and Security Agent), DNB Bank ASA, BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A., Credit Agricole Bank Polska S.A., Bank Ochrony Środowiska S.A. and Alior Bank S.A.

 

Emitel S.A. has acquired American Towers Corporation’s fully owned subsidiary in Poland (ATC Polska).

ATC Polska’s portfolio comprises of 65 modern lattice towers which are leased to leading MNO tenants via inflation-linked contracts with long tenors (average 14 years remaining on tenant lease agreements). The portfolio is distributed in attractive locations which complements Emitel’s existing network and has a low tenancy ratio providing available load capacity for additional lease customers.

The addition of ATC Polska increases Emitel’s total site portfolio to 667, of which over 635 will host telecom equipment. This further strengthens Emitel’s Telecom Infrastructure segment, where the Company is a leading independent developer and operator of telecom infrastructure and provides site hosting and other services to MNOs such as Orange, Polkomtel, Play and T -Mobile.

Andrzej Kozlowski, Chief Executive Officer at Emitel said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of ATC Polska. This portfolio is highly complementary to Emitel’s and this transaction will allow us to deepen our relationship with key MNOs and bolster our high-growth Telecoms Infrastructure segment.”

Emitel is the largest operator of digital terrestrial television (“DTT”) as well as IPTV platforms, the leading radio broadcast emissions provider and a leading provider of network neutral towers and fibre infrastructure in Poland.