Cellnex and IB Digital promote a pioneering deployment of DAB+ in the Balearic Islands

Cellnex next to IB Digital, the Agència Balear de Digitalització, Ciberseguretat i Telecomunicacions, promote the design, deployment and operation of the first autonomous DAB+ digital radio network in Spain, which will provide comprehensive service to all the Balearic Islands.

The new DAB+ network, the most widespread European standard for digital terrestrial broadcasting, allows more programs to be hosted per multiplex, improve the listening experience, add information associated with the content and optimize spectral efficiency compared to traditional analogue broadcasting. Thanks to this technology, IB3 Radio will be able to start its digital broadcasts and the door opens to the incorporation of private regional concessionaires in the coming months, promoting the radio offer and audiovisual innovation in the Balearic Islands.

Unlike pilot experiences, the deployment in the Balearic Islands is a network in real operation, designed to provide stable and scalable service from day one, with a vocation for continuity and growth. This initiative integrates the technical experience of Cellnex, through Retevisión, in digital radio broadcasting, together with the digitalization roadmap of IB Digital, IB3 and the Government of the Balearic Islands, guaranteeing a robust solution prepared to incorporate new operators and services in the future.

Marta Rubí Trenco, Director of Public Administrations at Cellnex Spain, highlights that “this project places the Balearic Islands at the forefront of digital radio and demonstrates how collaboration between administrations and operators accelerates innovation with a stable and scalable service from day one.”

Miquel Cardona Pons, Managing Director of IB Digital, adds that "the DAB+ network of the Balearic Islands allows us to offer higher quality, more channels and new services to citizens, reinforcing the public service mission and creating a growth framework for broadcasters."

The DAB+ service will provide a comprehensive service in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, with 12 newly activated emission centers. Retevisión will provide the engineering, integration, operation and maintenance services of the network during the 4 years agreed with IB Digital. It should be noted that the network will be sized to incorporate new programs and new concessionaires without interrupting the existing service. The start of emissions is expected to occur before the end of 2025.