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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: 22.10.2025 - 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.

Last update: 21.10.2025

Digiraadio is a non-profit-organisation; the members are private broadcasters All Media Eesti, Duo Media Networks, Nuvola Media, and the Estonian public broadcaster, as well as transmission company Levira.

The main goal of Digiraadio is to inform listeners that DAB+ is now in regular service in Estonia and to popularise the DAB+ platform. DAB+ energises the Estonia radio market, brings new and exclusive content to listeners, and adds an important piece to the safety alert system for informing the Estonian population in case of emergency.

NBO members can be all persons who share the same goals from Estonia, and also outside.

TTJA develops common testing principles for digital radio in Estonia

24.11.2022 - 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

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