Frequency allocation for broadcasting transmitters received from the Federal Network Agency

The following applies to broadcasting outside the jurisdiction of the federal states, which includes uses that do not exceed a certain area of land, for example drive-in cinemas and event broadcasting:

• There is often no need for coverage, only coordination between the Federal Network Agency and the state authority.
• In these cases, inform the Federal Network Agency of the area to be covered.

You can submit the application online or by e-mail:

Online:

• Log in to the customer portal of the Federal Network Agency and complete the application.
• Upload any necessary attachments and send the application.
• The Federal Network Agency will review your application and decide on the frequency allocation.
• You will receive notification of the result of your application.

By e-mail

• Complete the "Application for allocation of a VHF frequency" form available for download on the website of the Federal Network Agency and send the application with any necessary attachments to the Federal Network Agency by e-mail.
• The Federal Network Agency will review your application and decide on the frequency allocation.
• You will receive notification of the result of your application.

Detailed explanations of the procedure can be found in the "Administrative regulation for frequency allocations for the broadcasting service".

For broadcasting within the jurisdiction of the federal states, the basis for frequency allocation is a coverage requirement of the federal states. In the vast majority of cases, the sole content provider selects a transmitter operator who then submits an application for frequency allocation for a specific coverage requirement.

The procedure for standard broadcasting is as follows, depending on the federal state:

• The responsible state authorities inform the Federal Network Agency that the reception of broadcasting is to be offered in a specific area (so-called coverage requirement).
• The state authorities can allocate the content-related use of an analog or digital frequency to a content provider for sole use.
  • In this case, the content provider concludes a contract with you and notifies the Federal Network Agency of you as a broadcasting network operator. You then apply to the Federal Network Agency for allocation of the frequency.

If you have been selected as a network operator by the content providers or the Federal Network Agency in an award procedure, the following applies:

You can submit the application online or by e-mail:

Online:

• Log in to the customer portal of the Federal Network Agency and complete the application.
• Upload any necessary attachments and send the application.
• The Federal Network Agency will review your application and decide on the frequency allocation.
• You will receive notification of the result of your application.

By e-mail

• Complete the "Application for allocation of a VHF frequency" form available for download on the website of the Federal Network Agency and send the application with any necessary attachments to the Federal Network Agency by e-mail.
• The Federal Network Agency will review your application and decide on the frequency allocation.
• You will receive notification of the result of your application.
• Detailed explanations of the procedure can be found in the "Administrative regulation for frequency allocations for the broadcasting service".

• The responsible state authority has submitted the broadcasting regulations to the Federal Network Agency.
• You can prove that you have the necessary
  • reliability,
  • performance and
  • expertise.
• The requirements under telecommunications law for use are fulfilled (e.g. designation in the frequency plan, compatibility with other frequency uses).
• The intended use is compatible with the regulatory objectives of the Telecommunications Act.
• Only for standard broadcasting: coverage requirements of a country.

On request additionally:

• Proof of the declaration of reliability, performance and expertise

• The fees for frequency allocation depend, among other things, on the frequency band, the transmission technology, the period applied for and the coverage area/population covered. Cost range: between EUR 1.00 for very limited coverage, e.g. a rural sports field for a few days, and several million euros for nationwide coverage for 10 years.
• As the holder of the frequency allocation, you must make annual contributions to protect interference-free frequency use. Cost range: between EUR 1.00 and EUR 5.00 per allocated frequency and 10 square kilometers of coverage area.

There are no deadlines.

• For uses such as drive-in cinemas, you should expect a processing time of 6 weeks.
• Regular allocations for broadcasting may take several months to years due to international deadlines and agreements.

• § Section 91 Telecommunications Act (TKG)
• in conjunction with § 96 of the Telecommunications Act (TKG)
• Administrative regulation for frequency allocations for the broadcasting service (VVRuFu)
• Special Fee Ordinance of the Federal Network Agency - Frequency Allocations (BGebV-FreqZut)
• Frequency Protection Contribution Ordinance (FSBeitrV)

• Contradiction
• Administrative court action
  • Detailed information on the available legal remedies can be found in the notification of your application for frequency assignment or in the official gazette of the Federal Network Agency.

• Forms: Yes
• Written form required: No
• Informal application possible: Yes
• Personal appearance required: No
• Online service available: Yes

As a private broadcaster, in addition to the frequency allocation under telecommunications law, you need a media license under the respective state law. The state media authority of the federal state in which you wish to broadcast a program is responsible for the licensing procedure.

09.01.2023