Bulgaria

Last update: 12.08.2022 - older versions

As of August 2022, permits for broadcasting in band 174.0-230.0 MHz in Bulgaria were issued to the companies which submitted requests, in particular: Bulgarian Radiocompany EOOD, Bulgarian Telecommunication Company EAD, Metroradio EOOD and Digital Audio Bulgaria EOOD. There are still pending legislative gaps related to the issuance of programme licences for digital terrestrial broadcasting of radio programmes. Legislative changes in the Radio and Television Act may be needed for the effective use of the spectrum. However the procedure conducted by the CRC creates legitimate expectations for the holders of permits to effectively use the spectrum. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2 October 2022.

In September 2021 the Bulgarian regulator - CRC - launched a procedure for a public consultation on the prospects of using radio frequency 174-230 MHz. The CRC recommends DAB+, and the consultation aims to explore the level of interest in the market for the licensing of national and regional DAB+.  The consultation period lasted for one month. Read the consultation documentation here (Bulgarian). 

At its meeting on 2 December 2021, the CRC adopted the results of the public consultation. The table with the summarized results of the public consultation for DAB along with the decision will be published on the CRC website shortly.

At the end of 2018 a draft Regulatory Policy for the Administration of radio frequency spectrum was published for public consultation. The draft policy provided for the establishment of a working party to draft an official document reflecting the national policy regarding digital radio broadcasting.

This working party included representatives from the two main Bulgarian regulatory bodies – the Council for Electronic Media (the authority that issues licenses for the production of radio and TV programs which are broadcast terrestrially and monitors the content of all Bulgarian radio and TV programs) and the Communications Regulation Commission (issuing permissions for the use of specified radio spectrum and monitoring its use). 

In May 2017, ET DIP TRADING was awarded a trial license by the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) to transmit DAB/DAB+ digital radio in the territory of Sofia. More information (see licensing protocol 17 and decision number 5 inside the document).

On 20 March 2020 Digital audio Bulgaria LTD started a DAB+ trial in the capital city Sofia. More information is available here.

 

Last update: 15.04.2020 - older versions

Future coverage of DAB+ digital radio in Sofia. More information at https://dab.bg/

Last update: 22.08.2019 - older versions

Over 450 different devices in various price ranges from 20 Bulgarian lev are available in specialised shops and commercial chains.

Last update: 07.12.2021

On 20 March 2020 Digital audio Bulgaria LTD started a DAB+ trial in the capital city Sofia. More information is available here.

Last update: 12.08.2022 - older versions

As of August 2022, the latest developments related to the issuance of permits for broadcasting in band 174.0-230.0 MHz in Bulgaria are as follows:

Following the CRC’s declaration of intention to issue permits for broadcasting in band 174.0-230.0 MHz and the call for submission of intentions for use of spectrum in this band, letters of valid intentions for use of spectrum were submitted by Bulgarian Radio company EOOD (member of ABBRO); Bulgarian Telecommunication Company EAD; Metroradio EOOD (member of ABBRO); BTV Media Group EAD (member of ABBRO) and Digital Audio Bulgaria EOOD.

The number of intentions submitted was less than the number of permits that could be issued. Therefore, the CRC did not hold contests for issuing of permits, and directly invited the above companies to submit requests for issuance of permits. Permits were issued to the companies which submitted such requests, in particular: Bulgarian Radiocompany EOOD, Bulgarian Telecommunication Company EAD, Metroradio EOOD and Digital Audio Bulgaria EOOD.

There are still pending legislative gaps related to the issuance of programme licences for digital terrestrial broadcasting of radio programmes, which is a prerequisite for the use of the spectrum for the broadcasting of radio programmes. Legislative changes in the Radio and Television Act may be needed for the effective use of the spectrum. However the procedure conducted by the CRC creates legitimate expectations for the holders of permits to effectively use the spectrum. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2 October 2022.

 

In March 2022, the situation in Bulgaria in relation to regulation for DAB+ was reported as follows:

The CRC has declared its intention to handle a contest for the issuance of the following permissions for broadcasting in band 174-230 MHz:

  • 2 permits with national scope, covering 12 service areas (Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Vidin, Kardzhali, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora and Shumen);
  • 42 permits with regional scope covering the territorial boundaries of the relevant service areas: Blagoevgrad (4 permits); Burgas (4 permits); Varna-city (2 permits); Kardzhali (4 permits); Plovdiv (4 permits); Smolyan (4 permits); Sofia (4 permits); Sofia-city (10 permits); Stara Zagora (4 permits); Strandzha (2 permits).

CRC’s decision includes a call for submission of intentions for use of spectrum under the above conditions. Following the public consultations, the CRC shall issue a decision by which it may:

  • Announce contest(s) for issuing of permission(s) – in case the number intentions submitted is greater than the number of permits that can be issued;
  • Take actions for issuing of permission(s) – in case the number of the submitted intentions is less than or equal to the number of permits that can be issued.

In September 2021 the Bulgarian regulator - CRC - launched a procedure for a public consultation on the prospects of using radio frequency 174-230 MHz. The CRC recommends DAB+, and the consultation aims to explore the level of interest in the market for the licensing of national and regional DAB+.  The consultation period lasts for one month. Read the consultation documentation here (Bulgarian). 

At its meeting on 2 December 2021, the CRC adopted the results of the public consultation. The table with the summarized results of the public consultation for DAB along with the decision will be published on the CRC website shortly.

At the end of 2018 a draft Regulatory Policy for the Administration of radio frequency spectrum was published for public consultation.  According to the draft Policy the Communications Regulation Commission has the capacity to issue DAB+ licences however as yet no licences have been issued. 

The draft Regulatory Policy notes: “The specification of the T-DAB / T-DAB + technology, as well as the T-DAB / T-DAB + facilities have been developed and approved by ETSI / EBU8 / CENELEC9, based on proposals from the WorldDAB Forum”.

The draft regulatory policy is available to download here (in Bulgarian).

Last update: 05.05.2020

 Digital Audio Bulgaria has launched a new promotional video on DAB+, highlighting the various benefits of DAB+ digital radio. A new consumer-facing DAB marketing website adopting the DAB+ logo and branding in line with other European countries looking to help develop DAB+ digital radio has also launched in Bulgaria - www.dab.bg.

New DAB+ tests in Bulgaria
25.07.2023 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, a new DAB+ test ensemble has gone on the air. After the multiplex of Digital Audio Bulgaria with 16 programmes, which was on the air from 2017 to 2021 as part of an operational trial, the mobile radio provider Vivacom is now testing digital radio: since mid-July, the ensemble with 15 programmes has been broadcast in the Sofia area on channel 11B.

(SatelliFax) Read more


Bulgarian stakeholders hold positive talks on DAB+ deployment
19.01.2022 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
The Bulgarian regulator - the Communications Regulatory Commission - has held a positive meeting on the implementation of DAB+. Participants included representatives from CRC, the Electronic Media Council, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the radio industry body ABBRO. As a next step, ABBRO expressed its readiness to provide legal and practical proposals and information on good practices on successful deployments of DAB+ in Europe and from around the world.

(ABBRO) Read more


Bulgarian CRC preparing competition on use of DAB+ in Band III
08.12.2021 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
The Bulgarian regulator, CRC, has announced it intends to open a competition for the use of DAB+ in Band III. The relevant documents are being prepared by the CRC within the next two months. At a meeting on 2 December the CRC adopted Decision № 404 of 02.12.2021, formally adopting the results of the public consultation on the prospects for the use of radio frequencies in band III 174 - 230 MHz.

(ABBRO) Read more


Bulgarian regulator accepts results of public consultation on use of Band III
07.12.2021 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
At its meeting on 2 December 2021, the Communications Regulation Commission - CRC - adopted the results of the public consultation on the prospects for the use of free resources in Band III, 174-230 MHz. The table with the summarized results of the conducted public consultation for DAB along with the decision will be published soon on the CRC website.

(ABBRO) Read more


Bulgarian media regulator launches public consultation on national licensing of DAB+
06.09.2021 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
The CRC has launched a public consultation on the use of radio frequencies 174-230 MHz, to explore the market's level of interest in issuing licences for national and regional DAB+. The consultation closes 30 days after publication of the notice. The CRC consultation document states: "In order to provide conditions for efficient use and effective management of radio spectrum and the provision of high quality digital services to consumers, CRC considers that the band 174-230 MHz should be used by terrestrial digital T-DAB+ radio broadcasting networks."

(CRC.bg) Read more


Paneda selected as DAB+ partner for Bulgaria's Fresh Media radio group
11.02.2021 - Paneda WorldDAB Member - Bulgaria Bulgaria
Fresh Media, the largest radio group in Bulgaria, has chosen Paneda as its partner for DAB+ systems, strengthening its position for the future rollout of DAB in Bulgaria.

(Paneda) Read more


More than radio - Digital Audio Bulgaria
28.04.2020 - Bulgarian operators radio and television (BORT) - Bulgaria Bulgaria
Digital Audio Bulgaria has launched a new promotional video on DAB+, highlighting the various benefits of DAB+ digital radio. A new consumer-facing DAB marketing website adopting the DAB+ logo and branding in line with other European countries looking to help develop DAB+ digital radio has also launched in Bulgaria - www.dab.bg.

(dab.bg) Read more


New DAB+ trial launches in Bulgaria
24.03.2020 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
A new DAB+ trial has gone on air in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia. Launched on 20 March 2020, the trial is operated by Digital Audio Bulgaria.

(dab.bg) Read more


Bulgaria consults on DAB+ authorisations
19.07.2018 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
Bulgaria's Communications Regulation Commission (CRС) has launched a public consultation procedure on the draft CRC position regarding issuing DAB+ licences to broadcasters in the country.

(Telecompaper) Read more


Bulgaria consults on DAB+ authorisations
18.07.2018 - Bulgaria Bulgaria
Bulgaria's Communications Regulation Commission (CRС) has launched a public consultation procedure on the draft CRC position regarding the issuance of DAB+ licences.

(Novinite.com) Read more


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Key Information

Status: trial and/or regulation
Population: 7.0 million
Last update: 18.02.2020

Useful Links

BORT (Bulgarian operators Radio and TV)
dab.bg/
Public discussion procedure for digital radio
www.crc.bg/section.php?id=2208
Communicatons Regulation Commission