Poland’s Office of Electronic Communications (Urząd Komunikacji Elektronicznej, UKE), the country’s regulator for telecommunications and radio spectrum, has closed a call for industry input on the next phase of DAB+ broadcasting. The consultation asked which available multiplexes should be allocated first and when. Under the country’s frequency management plan for the 174–230 MHz band, two nationwide multiplexes and 17 local multiplexes remain available.
The nationwide multiplexes, MUXR1 and MUXR2, could carry up to 24 radio services. Local multiplexes could provide capacity for up to 12 additional services in some areas.
In its Oct. 13 announcement, Konrad Bródka, head of UKE’s Frequency Department, said frequencies for new FM stations are virtually exhausted in Poland. He pointed to DAB+ as a way to accommodate specialized formats, reach audiences with particular interests and give broadcasters unable to secure FM frequencies another option.
Bródka also suggested that DAB+ could help develop new radio brands and attract listeners, rather than simply adding to broadcasters’ distribution costs.
UKE asked market participants whether demand for additional DAB+ multiplexes is primarily national or local, which frequencies should be allocated first and on what timeline, and what public authorities could do to accelerate digital radio development. The regulator also noted that operators can already apply for frequency reservations. If only one applicant seeks a particular allocation, no competitive selection procedure is required.
Poland’s DAB+ rollout began in 2013, led by public broadcaster Polskie Radio, which operates MUXR3, the country’s only nationwide DAB+ multiplex currently on air. Local multiplexes and experimental services also operate in several areas.
Plans for a nationwide commercial multiplex were put on hold in 2022 after broadcasters requested more information about the technical and financial conditions for the future network operator. In Nov. 2025, Agnieszka Glapiak, chair of Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji, KRRiT), called for work on the multiplex to resume and backed legislation governing the transition to digital terrestrial radio.
UKE has not announced when the remaining multiplexes might be allocated, and no date has been set for an FM switch-off.
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