dPMR 446 is a highly efficient, licence-exempt digital radio format designed for peer-to-peer communication. Operating on the 446 MHz UHF band, it offers a cost-effective, "plug-and-play" solution for businesses and personal users across Europe.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard | ETSI TS102 490 |
| Licensing | Licence-Free / Exempt |
| Power Output | Max 500mW (ERP) |
| Antenna | Fixed / Integral |
| Form Factor | Hand-portable only |
| Range | Up to 6km (Environment dependent) |
PMR446 compliant equipment may be used in the following CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) territories and their overseas or semi-autonomous territories without restriction:
| Austria | France | Luxembourg | Russian Federation |
| Belgium | Germany | FYRO Macedonia | Slovenia |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Greece | Moldova | Spain |
| Bulgaria | Hungary | Monaco | Serbia |
| Croatia | Iceland | Montenegro | Slovak Republic |
| Cyprus | Ireland | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Czech Republic | Italy | Norway | Switzerland |
| Denmark | Latvia | Poland | Turkey |
| Estonia | Liechtenstein | Portugal | Ukraine |
| Finland | Lithuania | Romania | United Kingdom |
- Includes the overseas or semi-autonomous territories of Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain plus the constituent parts of the United Kingdom as well as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
- Assignments for use of licence free radios may change from time to time and the user is advised to check if PMR446 equipment can be used in the destination country.
Another advantage is increased communication range. While an analogue signal begins to fade and crackle as you move further away, a digital signal uses error correction to remain clear right up to the edge of the coverage area. This makes the signal appear to have a much longer usable distance.
This extended clarity is supported by several key features:
Following ECC Decision (15)05, the assigned frequency spectrum for digital equipment has been extended to 446.0–446.2 MHz. This expansion reduces congestion and ensures long-term availability for licence-exempt users. All dPMR 446 equipment complies with the latest Harmonised European Standards (EN 300 296-2, EN 300 113-2, and EN 301 166-2).
From retail and hospitality to light industrial use, dPMR 446 provides professional-grade digital features without the recurring cost of a license.
View our latest User Stories and Case Studies >While both operate on the same licence-free 446 MHz band, standard PMR446 is often analogue (FM). dPMR 446 is a digital standard that provides superior voice clarity, better battery life, and advanced data features like text messaging.
No. dPMR 446 is "licence-exempt" across the UK and Europe, provided the equipment meets the ETSI TS102 490 standard and has a fixed antenna with a maximum 0.5W power output.
This comes down to "Spectrum Efficiency." dPMR uses FDMA technology to split a 12.5kHz frequency into two 6.25kHz channels. This gives you 32 digital channels to choose from, whereas DMR (which uses 12.5kHz spacing) only offers 16. This significantly reduces the risk of interference in crowded areas.
While the theoretical range is up to 6km, digital technology provides "usable" audio right to the edge of the coverage area. Unlike analogue, where the signal gets noisier as you move away, dPMR remains clear until you are out of range.
Yes. Most dPMR 446 devices are "Dual Mode." They can be programmed to work on your old analogue channels and your new digital channels, allowing you to replace your fleet gradually rather than all at once.
Ensuring your equipment is fully certified is critical for both legality and performance. You should strictly look for radios that comply with the ETSI TS 102 490 standard. Certified devices guarantee that you remain within the legal 0.5W power limit and utilize the correct fixed antenna specifications, protecting you from interference fines and ensuring compatibility with other dPMR users.
You can find a selection of fully compliant, high-performance dPMR 446 radios here:
From maintaining the grounds to keeping staff secure dPMR 446 can work to keep the site at its best. Radio systems can also be used for sports and field trips.
Working from goods inwards, through refrigeration to front of house dPMR 446 can keep service at its best for restaurants and smaller hotels.
dPMR 446 can work with you on site helping you to stay in touch with your immediate team on local construction across smaller sites.
From goods in to the warehouse, through process control and quality testing dPMR 446 can let you drive productivity to the highest possible level.
To connect teams deployed in shops, town centres and more dPMR 446 can be the on the ground advantage that your business needs.
For everything from security through to sales, dPMR 446 is how to bring it all together, especially in larger retail spaces e.g. builder’s merchants.
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We are the guardians of the ETSI dPMR™ standard—the benchmark for highly efficient 6.25kHz FDMA digital radio. The Association supports a global ecosystem of manufacturers and developers, ensuring multi-vendor interoperability and promoting the benefits of true narrowband digital communications.
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