DAB+ in the Grand-Est.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, TDF made official the widespread deployment of digital radio in Lorraine, at its Nancy-Malzéville broadcasting site, in the presence of Gaëlle Kaminsky, Deputy Director of TDF's Audiovisual and Networks activities, representatives of the Autorité de Régulation de la Communication Audiovisuelle et Numérique (Arcom), partner radio stations and local representatives.
TDF has launched DAB+ broadcasting at its sites in Nancy-Malzéville, Commercy-Lérouville, Scy-Chazelles, Thionville-Beuvange, Saint-Dié-L'Ormont, Forbach and Epinal.
The population of Meuse, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle and Vosges can receive from 13 to 26 radio stations in DAB+ digital quality via TDF transmitters. Lorraine's roads and freeways are also covered for car reception.
Several months of work ahead for DAB+ rollout
To enable these radios to be broadcast in DAB+, TDF teams installed new technical facilities. The work involved installing a new antenna system, a multiplexing cell and an associated transmitter. Work was also carried out to adapt the infrastructure.
As an industrial player, TDF led the project from start to finish: the antenna systems were designed by TDF's center of expertise near Rennes, and the antenna housing structures by TDF's center of expertise in Toulouse.
In addition to broadcasting DAB+, these TDF sites also broadcast FM radio and, in some cases, DTT, and host cell phone operators.
TDF, committed to DAB+ technology
As the benchmark technical operator for terrestrial television and radio broadcasting, TDF has been involved in the development of DAB+ for many years. TDF's laboratories have made a major contribution to the definition and standardization of this technology. Today, TDF is mobilized for the deployment of DAB+ broadcasting services in mainland France.
DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a digital terrestrial broadcasting system for radio, similar to DTT for television. It enables radio stations not only to offer listeners high quality sound, but also to transmit additional information and visuals alongside the audio stream. This technology, which complements FM broadcasting, enriches the French radio landscape.
More than 45% of the population of mainland France can now receive digital radio at home, and on many roads for car reception.
To receive DAB+, you need a radio or car radio equipped with this technology. Since the end of 2019, all radio receivers sold in France, except car radios, include DAB+. And from 2020, all car radios in new cars sold in France will also include DAB+. As with the FM band, DAB+ radio reception remains completely free of charge.
I welcome the arrival of DAB+ in Lorraine, broadcast from TDF sites. TDF has been firmly rooted in the region for many years. When it comes to DAB+, TDF is committed to supporting its customers, the program publishers, to best meet their digital coverage needs. To do this, we draw on our almost 50 years of radio broadcasting expertise to offer a complete DAB+ package, from feed collection and headend, to signal transport via our entire existing network, and of course broadcasting.
Karim El Naggar, Managing Director of TDF's Audiovisual and Networks BU.