At the beginning of October, Emitel launched 10 new transmitters for the Polish Radio. As of now, works are well-underway to start broadcasting from new locations across Poland. By the end of this year, the DAB+ coverage will allow 67% of the Polish population to enjoy the new standard, as long as they have a digital radio receiver. A new station run by Polskie Radio S.A. in the DAB+ standard – Polskie Radio Kierowców – was been launched.
The digital radio system used across Europe, including Poland is DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus). Regular digital broadcasting using the DAB+ standard started in Poland on 1 October 2013. At the beginning, DAB+ broadcasting was available in Warsaw and Katowice. Today, the largest broadcasting network remains at the disposal of the Polish Radio. Using DAB+ receivers, the audiences can listen to Polish Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4, along with Polskie Radio 24, Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Polskie Radio Chopin, Radio Poland (in English, German and other languages) and regional programmes of the Polish Radio. The broadcaster introduced a novelty in the DAB+ system — Polskie Radio Kierowców, created with drivers in mind.
At the beginning of October, Emitel launched new transmitters for the public broadcaster, enabling DAB+ broadcasts in Częstochowa, Wisła, Tarnów, Szczawnica, Kalisz, Przemyśl, Gorzów and Legnica, among other cities and towns. Currently, work is underway to offer broadcasts in Skierniewice, Radom, Płock, Siedlce and Ostrów Mazowiecka. By the end of this year, 25 million potential customers and about 44% of Poland’s area will have DAB+ coverage.
We are proud that despite the difficult situation related to the coronavirus pandemic, the next stage of DAB+ coverage extension for Polish Radio has been completed on time. Digital radio means broadcasting a larger number of channels, better sound quality and additional features, such as broadcasting graphics or text, which can be displayed on DAB+ receivers in cars or at homes, said Maciej Staszak – Vice-President of the Management Board of Emitel S.A.
In future, the DAB+ will also be used for emergency alerts broadcast by the Government Security Centre. The additional features of the DAB+ standard will enable broadcasting messages on all channels, as well as displaying text and infographics. Depending on the receiver, emergency messages may be transmitted even when the receiver is inactive. The system will wake up the receiver itself and leave it in standby mode.
Listening to radio programmes broadcast in the digital DAB+ standard requires a DAB+ digital radio receiver. Digital radio offers better sound quality, which is not affected by interference or distortion as is the case with analogue radio. In addition, receivers equipped with screens can display text and images, such as disc covers, artist photos and radio logos.
