Over the summer, digital radio broadcasting will be progressively extended throughout the department and the Hautes-Pyrénées to cover the populations of :
- Pau, thanks to the Jurançon TDF transmitter,
- Tarbes, thanks to the Barbazan-Debat TDF transmitter,
- Orthez, thanks to the Saint-Boès TDF transmitter.
Last but not least, coverage of Bayonne will be reinforced by the TDF transmitter at Bayonne-Ville.
To enable these radios to be broadcast in DAB+, TDF teams have installed new technical facilities. The work involved installing new antenna systems, multiplexing cells and associated transmitters at the broadcast sites. Infrastructure adaptation work was also carried out.
As an industrial player, TDF manages DAB+ projects from start to finish: the complex antenna systems are 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 five TDF sites also broadcast FM radio and, in some cases, DTT, and host cell phone operators.
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 in Rennes were instrumental in defining and standardizing this technology. Today, TDF is mobilized for the deployment of DAB+ broadcasting services in mainland France. Today, more than 45% of the population can receive digital radio at home, and on many highways for car reception.
DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a digital terrestrial broadcasting system for radio, similar to DTT for television. It enables radio stations to offer listeners high quality sound, but also to transmit additional information and visuals in addition to the audio stream. This technology, which complements FM broadcasting, enriches the French radio landscape.
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, integrate DAB+. And from 2020, all new car radios sold in France will also include DAB+. As with the FM band, DAB+ radio reception remains completely free of charge.
Karim El Naggar, Managing Director of TDF's Audiovisual and Networks BU said:
"I'm delighted with the arrival of DAB+ in southern Aquitaine, broadcast from five 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 broadcasters, to best meet their digital coverage needs. To do this, we are drawing on our expertise in radio broadcasting over almost 50 years to provide a complete DAB+ offering, from feed collection and headend, to signal transport via our entire existing network, and of course broadcasting."
