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Estonia

Last update: 17.10.2025 - older versions

On 1 September 2025, DAB+ digital radio transmitters officially began broadcasting in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Koeru and Valgjärve. At launch, listeners were able to access a total of 23 different radio stations.

In October, additional transmitters were launched in Haapsalu, Kohtla-Nõmme in Ida-Virumaa, Orissaare in Saaremaa, and Pehka in Lääne-Virumaa.

The full list of available channels can be found at https://dabplus.ee

According to a 2025 survey by Turu-Uuringute AS, 11% of the Estonian population has already listened to digital radio, and there are an estimated 120,000 receivers in the country with DAB+ capability.

DAB+ digital radio has been available in Estonia as a test service since December 2022. At the beginning of 2025, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) organised a public call for tenders for frequency licences, in which Levira’s bid was successful.

This process followed a consultation, the results of which were published in March 2024. This stated: "it is clear that there is market interest in digital radio... According to the state, the introduction of digital radio will create an additional opportunity for radio programme owners to get their own programmes on air. Today, there are more potential radio programmes than the FM frequency resource allows, and a choice has to be made between radio programmes. Digital radio, with its additional frequency resource, would help to overcome this problem and diversify the Estonian media landscape."

DAB+ trials from 2022

DAB+ digital radio is currently in a trial phase in Estonia, allowing market players and listeners to try out the new technology.

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia published a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023.

Levira, in cooperation with Duo Media Networks and Mediainvest Holdings, started testing DAB+. The first DAB+ transmitter was launched in Tallinn TV tower on 28 November 2022 at 15.20, The signal from the Tallinn and Pehka transmitters will be broadcast on DAB+ channel 10A and the Koeru transmitter will be on 7A.

On 22 December 2022, the Koeru transmitter extended digital radio coverage to Central Estonia. A DAB+ transmitter will start operating in the Haljala municipality of Pehka in early 2023.

In May 2023, a new ensemble was launched for testing by Duo Media Networks in the second biggest Estonian town of Tartu, and the third biggest, Pärnu.

Last update: 08.10.2025 - older versions

DAB+ radio stations are currently broadcast via two networks (R1 and R3), which will reach 80% of the Estonian population by the fourth quarter of 2025. The network will be expanded in stages:

September 1, 2025: Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Koeru, and Valgjärve

Fourth quarter: Haapsalu, Pehka, Orissaare, and Kohtla-Nõmme (network R1 only)

As DAB+ becomes more popular, the coverage area will be expanded and improved in the future. Network R2 will be launched if all R1 network resources are in use and there is a need for additional radio stations.

Network R1 coverage area as of 31 October 2025

Map of Estonia showing network R1 coverage area as of 31 October 2025

R3 network coverage area. The R3 network broadcasts stations owned by Duo Media Networks and the coverage area is shown as of 1 September 2025.

Map of Estonia showing R3 network coverage area

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 2 Regular

on air.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	11	13	24

Last update: 27.11.2023 - older versions

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia has announced a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023.

The trial period will run until 30 June 2024, and more detailed principles can be found here.

Levira, in cooperation with Duo Media Networks and Mediainvest Holdings, has now started testing DAB+. The first DAB+ transmitter was launched in Tallinn TV tower on 28 November at 15.20, The signal from the Tallinn and Pehka transmitters will be broadcast on DAB+ channel 10A and the Koeru transmitter will be on 7A.

On 22 December 2022, the Koeru transmitter extended digital radio coverage to Central Estonia. A DAB+ transmitter will start operating in the Haljala municipality of Pehka in early 2023.

Currently, 26 radio stations can be listened to on DAB+, with more to follow soon. Duo Media Networks' radio stations Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, Narodnoe Radio, DFM and new digital only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as Star FM Eesti, Klassikaraadio, Äripäev Raadio, Tre Raadio and Power Hit Radio are testing digital radio.

In May 2023 a new ensemble was launched for testing by Duo Media Networks in the second biggest Estonian town, Tartu and the third biggest town, Pärnu. The ensemble currently includes 7 stations from Duo Media Networks: Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, and new digital only stations Duo Gold, Duo Greatest Hits and Elmari Tantsuõhtu, as well as relegious stations Pereraadio and Semeinoje Eli additional stations will be added in the near future.

The first trial of DAB multiplex was held from 2000-2005.

There must be no information gap! How can we ensure that the population is informed in a crisis situation?

17.10.2025 - Estonia

The systems developed in Estonia ensure that television and radio remain on air even if the electricity or internet connection is interrupted. Levira, in cooperation with state authorities, has built a decentralized network solution. "It is important to ensure that television and radio are on the air regardless of the situation," explains Kristo Kaasan, Levira's Director of Technology and IT. Digital radio has become a key tool, enabling the dissemination of crisis information in both audio and text form. "In a crisis situation, digital radio allows people to receive information automatically wherever they are. This is an important addition to traditional FM radio, which requires listeners to change channels and actively monitor the broadcast," says Kadi Luht-Kallas, advisor to the Ministry of the Interior.

(Äripäev) Read more

Estonia’s first digital radio transmitters go on air

29.08.2025 - Estonia

Starting Monday, September 1, DAB+ digital radio transmitters will officially begin broadcasting in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Koeru and Valgjärve. Listeners will be able to access a total of 23 different radio stations. All existing FM transmitters will continue to operate alongside the new digital service. “Since the DAB+ test network is being switched off and replaced with the permanent transmitter network, digital radio will be off-air from midnight until approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, September 1,” explained Indrek Lepp, Member of the Management Board and Director of Media Services at Levira. “In October, additional transmitters will be launched in Haapsalu, Kohtla-Nõmme in Ida-Virumaa, Orissaare in Saaremaa, and Pehka in Lääne-Virumaa,” Lepp added.

(Levira) Read more

Paneda selected to deliver cutting-edge DAB systems to Levira in Estonia

26.08.2025 - Paneda WorldDAB Member - Estonia

Paneda is pleased to announce its selection as the supplier of a new Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) head-end platform, currently being developed by the Estonian network operator, Levira. Levira has successfully operated a DAB+ pilot programme for over three years, which has now transitioned into a fully licensed broadcasting service. In support of this milestone, Paneda has delivered a comprehensive server infrastructure featuring full redundancy and all advanced functionalities, including its proprietary intelligent redundancy switching. The initial deployment comprises a 2+2 multiplexer configuration. However, the platform is engineered to accommodate up to ten multiplexers and can be scaled seamlessly without further hardware investment.

(Paneda) Read more

Levira and Duo Media cooperation agreement brings up to 14 digital radio channels to listeners

16.03.2025 - Estonia

Levira and Duo Media have signed an agreement under which Levira will set up a DAB+ digital radio distribution network where Duo Media will broadcast its radio channels. Up to 14 digital radio channels will be broadcast on a single network. "We are delighted to start working with Duo Media, which is actively contributing to the development of a new generation of radio services in Estonia to bring a wider choice of radio content in digital quality to listeners. I am confident that with the joint efforts of all market players, digital radio will soon reach many radio listeners," said Indrek Lepp, Member of the Management Board and Director of Media Services at Levira.

(Levira) Read more

Estonian DAB+ frequency licence competition won by Levira

11.03.2025 - Estonia

AS Levira submitted an application to the public call for digital radio frequency licences announced by the Consumer Protection and Technical Authority (CTA) in January. After obtaining the frequency licence, Levira will have to build three broadcasting networks within one year. From now on, radio programmes will be available over the air not only on FM frequencies but also in digital radio format, which will enrich the Estonian media landscape. With the first network, Levira will have to cover a minimum of 85.59% of the population (the photo shows what the coverage should look like). The second network must cover 73.45% of the population and the third 72.16%. AS Levira has estimated that the commercial digital radio service will be broadcast from September 2025.

(Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Ameti (TTJA)) Read more

Levira wins licence for DAB+ network in Estonia

11.03.2025 - Estonia

The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority of Estonia (TTJA) announced that AS Levira has been selected as the winner of the public tender for digital radio frequency licences (DAB+), which was launched in January 2025. After receiving the frequency licence, Levira must build three DAB+ broadcasting networks within a year. In the future, radio programs will be available over the air in digital radio format, in addition to FM frequencies, further enriching Estonian media landscape. With the first network, Levira must cover at least 85.59% of the population (the coverage area of this network is shown in the photo). The second network must cover 73.45%, and the third 72.16% of the population.

(Levira) Read more

Levira submits application for Estonian DAB+ frequency licence competition

20.02.2025 - Estonia

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) [Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority] launched a public call for tenders for frequency authorisations for digital radio services. Only Levira submitted an application to participate in the tender, the Authority said. Participants in the open call for applications had to submit the required documents to the TTJA by 23.59 on 17 February at the latest, and the qualification of the application will be carried out by the TTJA within eight working days. The objects of the competition are three frequency licences in the 174-225 MHz band for nationwide use. Up to three frequency authorisations may be awarded to a single applicant.

(ERR) Read more

Estonia's TTJA launches call for digital radio frequency licences

16.01.2025 - Estonia

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) [Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority] has launched a public call for tenders for frequency licences for digital radio services. "When we developed the principles for testing digital radio in November 2022, it was driven by the growing market interest in testing DAB+ technology. A year later, our aim was to create the technical conditions for digital radio to be developed so that market players could test the new technology, and over the past few years this has been actively pursued, with a number of non-FM radio stations seizing the opportunity. Now we have reached the stage where the next step is to issue frequency licences for the provision of a nationwide digital broadcasting network service," said Erko Kulu, Head of the Frequency Management Department of the TTJA.

(Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA)) Read more

New Russian-language radio station to launch in Estonia

14.01.2025 - Estonia

The largest media concern in the Baltic States, Duo Media Networks, and the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) have signed an agreement that will make the Russian-language news radio station Radio Liberty available 24 hours a day on the DAB+ digital radio platform in Tallinn, Harju County, Tartumaa and Pärnu County. Funded by the U.S. Congress, the station has been in operation since 1953, providing accurate information to people who have been influenced by communist propaganda for decades. ‘Bringing Radio Liberty to the DAB+ platform in Estonia will help expand the reach of high-quality Russian-language news and promote a culture of open debate,’ said Duo Media Networks CEO Risto Rozimannus.

(Postimees) Read more

Estonia to issue call for DAB+ tenders in early 2025

13.12.2024 - Estonia

Estonia's TTJA has published an update on testing of DAB+. The regulator says: "Testing of the upgraded DAB+ standard in the 174-225 MHz band started in November 2022. The test period will end in the early months of 2025 due to a public call for tenders. During the tender procedure, permanent frequency authorisations will be issued for the construction of the nationwide network and the provision of network services." The TTJA's website has also published information on the 174-225 MHz band for coordinated radio transmitters.

((Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA)) Read more