Estonia

Last update: 22.09.2023 - older versions

In September 2023, the Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia sent out an invitation to market players and stakeholders to participate in a public consultation to identify their interests and expectations regarding the introduction of digital radio and to plan the use of the 174-230 MHz band. DAB+ digital radio is currently in a trial phase in Estonia, allowing market players and listeners to try out the new technology. The test period will last until the end of 2023.

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, 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 in the ensemble managed by Levira, 14 radio stations can be heard on DAB+, and the ensemble is now full. 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 of Tartu, and the third biggest, Pärnu. The ensemble currently includes seven 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 religious stations Pereraadio and Semeinoje Eli. Additional stations are expected to be added in the near future.

The three Levira ensembles and two Duo Media Networks ensembles together now cover 75% of the Estonian population.

Last update: 07.09.2023 - older versions

Regions: Harju county (including Tallinn), Järva county (Koeru), Lääne-Virumaa county (Pehka), Pärnu county (Pärnu) and Tartu county (Tartu).

Coverage of population:  aprox. 75 %

Coverage of territory:       aprox.  45%

In this country there are

on air.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 25 14 39

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.

Digital radio coverage extended to Lääne-Virumaale
12.01.2023 - Estonia Estonia
Levira's DAB+ digital radio transmitter started operating on 11 January at the Pehka transmitter station, as a result of which the coverage area of digital radio now extends not only to Tallinn and Central Estonia, but also to Lääne-Viru county. Thanks to the transmitter in Haljala municipality, digital radio can now be listened to in almost all of Lääne-Viru County. On the Tallinn-Narva highway, digital radio reaches as far as Aseri and beyond under favourable conditions. Currently, 11 radio stations can be listened to on DAB+: Raadio Elmar, Raadio Kuku, Raadio MyHits, Raadio Duo, Narodnoe Radio and DFM, as well as Star FM Eesti, Klassikaraadio, Äripäev Raadio, Power Hit Radio and Tre Raadio.

(Levira) Read more


Koeru transmitter extends digital radio coverage to Central Estonia
22.12.2022 - Estonia Estonia
This morning, Levira's DAB+ digital radio transmitter started operating at the Koeru transmitter mast, with its 300-metre-high antenna extending the digital radio test area from Tallinn to central Estonia. Levira, in cooperation with Duo Media Networks and Mediainvest Holdings, is testing DAB+, a digital radio service widely used in Europe. The first digital radio transmitter was launched at the Tallinn TV Tower on 28 November, and after Koeru, a DAB+ transmitter will start operating in the Haljala municipality of Pehka in early 2023.

(Levira) Read more


Paneda supports Estonian DAB trial
30.11.2022 - Paneda WorldDAB Member - Estonia Estonia
Johan Ericsson, Sales Manager at Paneda says: “We are happy to see our neighbouring countries showing an increasing interest for DAB, and we are happy to support Levira in this project by providing multiplexer and audio encoders as well as education, training and support with the overall goal to make this DAB trial a success.”

Read more


Estonia DAB+ tests go live
28.11.2022 - Estonia Estonia
Levira, together with the AEB (Estonian Broadcasting Union) and radio stations, is testing solutions and possibilities for digital radio broadcasting in Estonia. As a pilot project, digital radio transmitters will be launched in the Tallinn TV tower and by the end of the year in Koeru and Pehka broadcasting stations. As of 28 November 2022, the following radio stations are on air from the Tallinn TV Tower transmitter: Radio Kuku, Radio Elmar, Radio Duo, MyHits, Narodnoye, DFM, StarFM Estonia.

(Levira) Read more


Estonia steps closer to digital radio
28.11.2022 - Estonia Estonia
Estonia’s consumer protection and technical regulatory authority, the TTJA, has announced a standard set of principles for testing digital radio, allowing market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023. “One of our objectives for the coming year is to create the necessary technical conditions for the development of digital radio,” said Oliver Gailan, head of the communications department. “To enable today’s market players to test the new technology, as a first step, we have drawn up common principles for testing digital radio and are preparing suitable frequencies for testing in the 174-230 MHz band."

(RedTech) Read more


Estonia: Radio stations start testing digital radio frequencies
24.11.2022 - Estonia Estonia
Digital radio, or DAB, which has been in use alongside FM frequencies in other European countries for years, may also reach the Estonian market in a few years, if the trials that will begin in the near future prove successful. Levira will start preparing for the trial in December and the trial period is planned to last nine months to allow for all weather conditions. One of the special features of digital radio is that several programmes can be broadcast on a single transmitter instead of the current one. That's why Levira wants to test the capabilities of digital radio with one transmitter, or 12 stations, said Kristo Kaasan, the company's technology and IT director.

(ERR / Estonian Public Broadcasting) Read more


TTJA develops common testing principles for digital radio in Estonia
24.11.2022 - Estonia Estonia
The Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority (CTA) announces that it has recently finalised a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023. "One of the TTJA's objectives for the coming year is to create the necessary technical conditions for the development of digital radio. To enable today's market players to test the new technology, as a first step, we have drawn up common principles for testing digital radio and are preparing suitable frequencies for testing in the 174-230 MHz band," said Oliver Gailan, Head of the Communications Department. The trial period will run until the end of 2023.

(TTJA / Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority) Read more


Levira prepares to launch digital radio network pilot project
24.11.2022 - Estonia Estonia
Levira has submitted an application for a frequency licence to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority to test the new DAB+ radio network in cooperation with radio stations belonging to the Estonian Broadcasting Union. This is a digital radio service with transmitters temporarily operating first in Tallinn and then in Koeru and Pehka in Haljala municipality. The first DAB+ transmitter is scheduled to be launched on 28 November at the Tallinn TV Tower. The list of stations participating in the nine-month pilot project is being finalised. Among the first testers are Klassikaraadio, Duo Media Networks radio programmes and Star FM. In total, up to 12 radio programmes are planned to be broadcast on a single transmitter, with the signal from the Tallinn transmitter on channel 10A.

(Levira) Read more


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Key Information

Status: trial and/or regulation
Population: 1.3 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 75%
Services: 39 DAB+
Last update: 16.01.2024

Useful Links

Development Plan (2018-2010) Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) / Estonian Public Broadcasting
Estonian Public Broadcaster (Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR))
Estonian Broadcasting Union (ERL)
Digilevi - details of the DAB+ trial
Levira - network operator
Association of Estonian Broadcasters
Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority