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Slovakia

Last update: 05.01.2021 - older versions

Public consultation

In November 2020, a public consultation regarding the launch of regular DAB+ services in Slovakia was published by the Slovakian regulatory authority. A summary of this consultation is available here (in Slovakian).

As part of the consultation, key public and private broadcasters as well as telecoms operators from Slovakia indicated that there is both interest and potential for the launch of regular national DAB+ services in Slovakia.

The conclusion of the regulatory authority in regards to the consultation was that regular nationwide DAB+ services will be launched in Slovakia as soon as possible, with the exact timing still to be confirmed.

DAB+ trials

DAB+ broadcasting in Slovakia started on 15 December 2015 as a trial in the capital city Bratislava. This trial is operated by the company Towercom, the biggest Slovakian broadcasting network operator.

Currently seven trials are in operation, namely in Bratislava, Dunajská Streda, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Žilina (operated by Towercom Inc.) and in Banská Bystrica and Nitra (operated by AVIS Ltd.). On trials both public (RTVS) and commercial programme services are transmitted.

Last update: 06.11.2020 - older versions

The calculated coverage of all transmitters on air is

- Population ... 45.7 %
- Territory ...... 32.6 %

Coverage of individual multiplexes:

MUX 1 (Towercom)

- Population ... 45.4 %
- Territory ...... 31.7 %

MUX 2 (AVIS)

- Population ... 2.7 %
- Territory ...... 2.4 %

Last update: 16.05.2022 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplex: 1 Trial
Local multiplex: 1 Trial

on air.

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

Rádio Slovensko (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a station focused on broadcasting with dominant orientation to topical newscast and analytic journalism, supplemented by blocks of artistic programmes.

Rádio Regina Západ (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a station focused on broadcasting with dominant orientation to topical newscast and analytic journalism – for Western part of Slovakia.

Rádio Regina Stred (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a station focused on broadcasting with dominant orientation to topical newscast and analytic journalism – for Middle part of Slovakia.

Rádio Regina Východ (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a station focused on broadcasting with dominant orientation to topical newscast and analytic journalism – for Eastern part of Slovakia.

Rádio_FM (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a musical-cultural programme service, aimed to demanding young listener.

Rádio Devín (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is an artistic-cultural programme service, aimed to demanding listeners in the area of music, artistic word and cultural information from Slovakia and from the world.

Rádio Slovakia International (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) with programmes in foreign languages for listeners abroad,

Rádio Patria (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a programme service about ethnic groups / minorities, for minorities and in languages of minorities.

Rádio Mária (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a catholic radio station.

Rádio Lumen (simulcast FM / DAB+/ Internet) is a Christian radio station.

Rádio Junior is a solely digital station, available exclusively via DAB+ and Internet, featuring specialised children’s content.

Rádio Pyramida is a solely digital station, available exclusively via DAB+ and Internet, broadcasts to listeners the most important recordings from the rich archive. The motto became the words "history written in sound".

Rádio Litera is a solely digital station, available exclusively via DAB+ and Internet, aimed to more intellectual listeners.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	20	6	26

Last update: 02.10.2013

There are currently no news available for this section.

Last update: 13.05.2022 - older versions

DAB+/FM receivers are available in stores and online.

Receivers: Many different models are available.

Stores:

DATART (www.datart.sk/dab-radia.html)

Hej.sk (www.hej.sk/radia/radioprijimace-s-dab/#)

Alza.sk (https://www.alza.sk/digitalne-radia-dab/18857217.htm)

NAY (https://www.nay.sk/vysledky-vyhladavanie?q=DAB%20r%C3%A1di%C3%A1)

electronic.star (https://www.electronic-star.sk/HiFi-a-TV/Radia/Digitalne-radia-DAB-radia/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_IDUm-za9wIVjQZ7Ch2-_waEEAAYASAAEgILpvD_BwE)

Last update: 13.05.2022 - older versions

DAB+ trials

Currently six trials are in operation, namely in Bratislava, Dunajská Streda, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Žilina (operated by Towercom Inc.) and in Nitra (operated by AVIS Ltd.). On trials both public (RTVS) and commercial programme services are transmitted.

For all transmitters, vertical polarisation and DQPSK modulation is permitted.

First Towercom's trial in Bratislava was put into operation on 15 December 2015.

	Name of transmitter	Block	ERP_max [kW]	Name of site	Antenna pattern
1	BRATISLAVA	12C	3.600	Kamzík	D
2	NITRA	10C	10.000	Zobor	ND
3	KOŠICE	12B	2.000	Heringeš	ND
4	BANSKÁ BYSTRICA	12A	3.000	Laskomer	ND
5	ŽILINA	12A	5.000	Krížava	D
6	DUNAJSKÁ STREDA	12C	0.620	TKB Dunajská Streda	ND
7	BANSKÁ BYSTRICA	10B	3.000	Panský diel	D

Other details can be found on https://www.teleoff.gov.sk/prehlad-povolenych-dvb-t-a-t-dab-vysielacov/ (in Slovak only).

Last update: 05.01.2021 - older versions

In January 2017 the Slovak Government approved the Strategy of Implementation of Terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcasting in the Slovak Republic. According to this document, the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting is divided to three phases (with defined terms).

Public consultation

Last update: 02.10.2013

There are currently no news available for this section.

Last update: 06.11.2020 - older versions

The Research Institute of Post and Telecommunications (VÚS) conducted a project dealing with emergency warning via digital radio (EWF). The project was successfully finished in December 2018, with the test transmission in Banská Bystrica. The aim was to utilize new features of digital radio and to design an additional method of disseminating warning messages to population and thus increase the likelihood that residents will be adequately informed in critical situations.

Digital radio to expand with new Borski Mikulas transmitter

20.01.2023 - Slovakia

Towercom is planning to increase its digital radio coverage with a new transmitter. The company expects DAB+ coverage to increase to around 70 per cent of the population this year. "During the first half of 2023 we plan to launch the transmitter in Borski Mikulas," a Towercom representative told Živé.sk. The network mainly broadcasts RTVS stations or the Rádio Rock circuit. With digital radio, the frequency band is used more efficiently and the cost of disseminating one programme service is also reduced compared to FM broadcasting.

(Živé.sk) Read more

RÚ extends DAB+ licences in Slovakia

14.01.2023 - Slovakia

The existing licences for DAB+ digital radio transmitters operated by Towercom expired at the end of 2022. "The operator of digital terrestrial radio broadcasting has applied to the Office for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RÚ) for an extension of the validity period of 10 individual licences for the use of frequencies," Adriana Volfová, head of the press and information department at the RÚ, told SatelitnáTV.sk. "In November 2022, the Office decided to extend the validity period of these individual authorisations." All new licences are valid until the end of 2023.

(SatelitnáTV) Read more

RTVS has increased its DAB+ capacity

10.01.2023 - Slovakia

The number of channels distributed in the DAB+ digital radio multiplex operated by Towercom, has increased to 12. The new station called Radio Slovakia will be available on a separate channel (Service ID: 5008) for Radio Slovakia International listeners with a bitrate of 72 kbps.

(SatelitnáTV) Read more

DAB+ with better coverage in Eastern Slovakia

09.01.2023 - Slovakia

Telecommunications operator Towercom has launched a new DAB+ transmitter in the last few hours, which distributes digital radio in VHF band III. The news will certainly please listeners in eastern Slovakia, given that coverage there has improved significantly. According to SatelitnáTV.sk, the Košice - Dubník transmitter is already active, transmitting on channel 10C (213.360 MHz) with a maximum permitted power of 5 kW.

(SatelitnáTV) Read more

RTVS has agreed a new contract with Towercom. Two new transmitters to be launched

21.12.2022 - Slovakia

DAB+ coverage will be significantly expanded in the near future. This will be facilitated by the more powerful transmitters Borský Mikuláš - Dubník (6D) and Košice - Dubník (10C). The public broadcaster RTVS is also interested in the expansion of digital radio broadcasting and has agreed on a new contract with Towercom to distribute its stations via DAB+. The new contract is valid until the end of 2023 and thanks to it the public broadcaster can distribute nine stations on Towercom's DAB+ multiplex.

(SatelitnáTV) Read more

Digital radio is already for half the population, says Towercom's boss.

09.12.2022 - Slovakia

The operator of the transmitters confirms that the demand for broadcasts is limited, however it is interested in operating a national multiplex. Towercom already has DAB+ digital radio coverage of 50 per cent of the population and announces that the signal will be rolled out from other locations. It is also currently negotiating a new contract with the public broadcaster, which relates specifically to radio.

(ŽIVÉ) Read more

Rock Radio added to Towercom mux in Slovakia

20.09.2022 - Slovakia

The digital radio multiplex (DAB+) operator Towercom is testing a new commercial Radio Rock, which should be launched in the near future. The Rock radio station was initially available only in the DAB+ multiplex West, but in the evening it also appeared in the remaining two (Centre and East). At the time of writing, the radio station was broadcast on DAB+ with a bitrate of 128 kbps and in the HE-AAC v1 codec.

(SatelitnáTV.sk) Read more

Slovakia: FM could be switched off between 2030 and 2035

04.07.2022 - Slovakia

According to the new head of Radio and Television Slovakia Luboš Máchaj, RTVS should invest in the development of DAB+ digital broadcasting. The expected migration of listeners can only be expected between 2030 and 2035, however, the public media should already deal with this technology significantly. "This is a process in which it is necessary to ensure that the use of DAB+ spreads among listeners," stated Machaj, adding that it is necessary to ensure that RTVS does not lose listeners.

(Czech Radio) Read more

Six new DAB+ transmitters launch in Slovakia

01.07.2022 - Slovakia

The Slovakian telecommunications operator Towercom has launched six DAB+ transmitters in a row, the last of which went live on 1 July. Additional DAB+ transmitters are under construction.

(SatelitnaTV.sk) Read more

New DAB+ transmitters in Slovakia

08.02.2022 - Slovakia

The Slovak regulator has granted frequency allocations to Towercom for two new DAB+ transmitters. Public broadcaster Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS) aims to achieve similar coverage when medium wave is switched off. RTVS switched off a medium-wave transmitter in Rimavská Sobota at the end of January, with transmission from Nitra and Čižatice still in operation. "These are contractually bound until the end of 2022. We are considering their shutdown and partial replacement of DAB+ networks. For this reason, we are tentatively counting on investment in the DAB+ radio network", confirmed Stanislav Čačko, PR manager of RTVS.

(Digital.rozhlas.cz) Read more