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.