Development of FM Radio Broadcasting

To ensure wider coverage and higher-quality FM radio broadcasting through modern technical means, as well as to support radio broadcasters, President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree on July 24, 2023, on the allocation of financial resources for the expansion of the radio broadcasting network in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Under the decree, 13.7 million manats were allocated to enhance radio broadcasting and expand access to national radio programs across the country.

The Decree also provides for the coverage of radio broadcasters’ three-year operating costs from the state budget, creating new opportunities for them to expand their commercial activities during this period.

As a result of the Decree’s implementation, FM broadcasts have been expanded beyond Baku and the Absheron Peninsula to cover all regions of the country, significantly broadening the national broadcasting network. This development now allows up to 15 national radio programs to be transmitted through 17 Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations.Additionally, 176 FM transmitters, 60 antenna systems, 48 combining units, 67 satellite equipment sets, and 44 RDS devices have been procured from abroad and installed, ensuring that radio signals now cover wider areas. Between 1996 and 2024, a total of 117 FM transmitters were operational in the country; this number has now nearly doubled, significantly expanding the nationwide reach of national radio programs.

The new Radio Data System also enables automatic broadcast management. With this system, while driving on the country’s highways, reception of the same program from different transmitter stations is automatically regulated, allowing listeners to enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality radio without manual tuning.

Maintenance and repair work has been carried out at the stations, and ventilation systems have been installed to ensure that the equipment operates in compliance with modern standards.

At the same time, a series of measures have been implemented to enhance the stability and reliability of the radio broadcasting network’s power supply system.

The implementation of these measures has also strengthened the country’s national security. Using FM frequency resources for local broadcasting prevents interference from foreign frequencies, thereby enhancing information security. The newly allocated 127 frequency slots, coordinated internationally, are unavailable for use by neighboring countries, significantly enhancing Azerbaijan’s information security.

Thanks to the modern technical capabilities of the newly commissioned equipment in the radio broadcasting network, their remote management has become possible. This, in turn, enhances management efficiency and enables any potential operational issues with the equipment to be addressed remotely in real time.