AS THE EIFFEL TOWER RISES, THE TDF GROUP INSTALLS A NEW SIX-METER ANTENNA DEDICATED TO DIGITAL RADIO BROADCASTING IN ÎLE-DE-FRANCE
At 11:15 this morning, the TDF group carried out an exceptional technical operation to install a new six-meter high radio antenna at the top of the Eiffel Tower, designed to broadcast terrestrial digital radio (DAB+, Digital Audio Broadcasting) throughout the Ile-de-France region. The new antenna gives France's most famous monument, the Eiffel Tower, a new height of 330 metres.
Carried out by helicopter, this spectacular operation is unprecedented. The Eiffel Tower had not grown for 22 years, and this is the first time a helicopter operation has been carried out to install new equipment on the Tower.
The Eiffel Tower, a historic and unusual broadcasting site
The new DAB+ antenna sits on top of the antennas already installed on the Tower's summit, enabling TDF to broadcast nearly 30 Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) channels and 32 radio stations to 12 million people in the Paris region, within a radius of nearly 70 km from the monument.
Ever since Eugène Ducretet pioneered wireless teletransmission (WT) in 1898, the Eiffel Tower has been a center of innovation and excellence in audiovisual broadcasting. The first French radio station, named Radio Tour Eiffel, was born in the early 20th century and made its home here for almost 20 years. It was the Tower's ability to support radio broadcasting that prevented its dismantling.
TDF's technical excellence at the service of all French people
The new antenna will be used to broadcast DAB+ digital radio in the Ile-de-France region. Six meters high and weighing 350 kg, it was designed by TDF experts at the Liffré engineering center (35).
Since 1991, TDF's innovation teams have been working on the design of DAB+, digital terrestrial radio. This terrestrial technology, which complements FM broadcasting, enables thirteen radios to be broadcast on the same frequency, when the FM band only allows one radio per frequency. The rollout of DAB+ in France began in 2014 near major cities and roads, according to the deployment plan defined by the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (now Arcom).
The Eiffel Tower has always been an emblem of innovation. In fact, it is from the Eiffel Tower site that TDF is carrying out experiments with Ultra High Definition (UHD) Digital Terrestrial Television.
Jean-François Martins, Chairman of Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, explains:
"Since its conception, the Eiffel Tower has never ceased to embody audacity and technical progress. Through its history, the Tower has a strong link with radio, and has always been a pioneer in communications. The installation of this DAB+ antenna is further proof of this. The monument is thus pursuing its public service mission by offering the "radio" medium a new horizon. We're proud to be part of it, alongside the TDF teams.
Olivier Huart, Chairman and CEO of the TDF Group, states:
"For more than forty years, the TDF group has put its industrial know-how and expertise at the service of radio broadcasting in France. This unprecedented technical operation, carried out on a site as exceptional as the Eiffel Tower, is a source of immense pride for the entire company. It took over a year to prepare, in close collaboration with the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE). The Eiffel Tower is now ready to welcome the broadcasting of terrestrial digital radio (DAB+), making it as accessible as FM radio or DTT for the people of Paris."