Coverage and planning

How to cover all of Estonia

Based on the measurements, a 16-site network has been modelled using Levira’s existing high masts. The plan has two layers: a robust public warning layer (QPSK) and a higher-capacity media layer (16-QAM).

Predicted coverage — Predicted public warning coverage, QPSK layer, phone at 1.5 m. Source: Levira / TalTech, 3rd interim report.

Two layers

Public warning: QPSK

Alerts are small, and what matters most is that they get through. QPSK works with a weaker signal (SINR ≥ 3 dB, RSRQ ≥ −15 dB), so coverage is wide and reaches most of Estonia. Public warning should be planned on this layer.

Media: 16-QAM

TV and radio need a cleaner signal (SINR ≥ 10 dB, RSRQ ≥ −10 dB). This layer is narrower and concentrated around the main masts. The 16-QAM map shows service quality, not where public warnings reach.

Signal strength (RSRP)

≥ −90 dBm, strong. Stable reception indoors too, HD video.

−90…−100 dBm, medium. Alerts reach phones in pockets or in cars.

≤ −100 dBm, weak. Alerts can be received outdoors, but the signal is not enough for video.

Network plan

16 transmitter sites

The country does not need one large single-frequency network. It works better to divide Estonia into regional clusters on three UHF channels: E40, E41 and E46.

#	Site	Channel	Antenna height	ERP	Status
1	Tallinn TV Tower	E40	289 m	18.8 kW	on air
2	Tallinn, Kristiina	E40	97 m	1.5 kW	on air
3	Koeru	E41	335 m	15 kW	on air
4	Pärnu	E41 → E46	187 m	6.7 kW	on air
5	Järvakandi	E41	78 m	1 kW	on air
6	Valgjärve	E41	336 m	18 kW	planned
7	Tartu, Soinaste	E41 / E40	196 m	3.5 kW	planned
8	Kohtla-Nõmme	E46 / E40	235 m	15 kW	planned
9	Narva	E46 / E40	63 m	1 kW	planned
10	Haapsalu	E40	117 m	3.5 kW	planned
11	Viljandi	E41 / E40	75 m	2 kW	planned
12	Orissaare	E46	188 m	15 kW	planned
13	Sauvere	E46	120 m	3.5 kW	planned
14	Männamaa	E46	116 m	3.5 kW	planned
15	Märjamaa	E46	80 m	2 kW	planned
16	Karitsa	E46 / E40	80 m	2 kW	planned

E40 · 622–630 MHz

Northern Estonia

TV Tower and Kristiina, the northern coast layer.

E41 · 630–638 MHz

Central and southern Estonia

Koeru and Valgjärve, the main inland layer.

E46 · 670–678 MHz

Western and eastern Estonia

Pärnu, Orissaare and the islands, plus Kohtla-Nõmme and Ida-Viru County.

This is a working version of the plan. The final frequency plan requires an impact analysis of relocating digital TV multiplexes, coordination with neighbouring countries and SFN timing calculations. The baseline is a 200 µs cyclic prefix; 300 µs will also be checked for long distances and over sea.