Today, Thursday January 19, TDF starts broadcasting thirteen radio stations in DAB+ digital quality from its broadcasting sites in La Flèche (Sarthe) and Ceton (Orne): Alouette, Chante France, Clazz, Crooner Radio, Forever, France Bleu Maine, Radio FG, Radio Nova, Radio Orient, RCF Sarthe, Sud Radio, TSF Jazz and Vibration.
These sites cover the population of Nogent-le-Rotrou (Eure-et-Loir), La Flèche and La Ferté-Bernard (Sarthe), as well as the A11 freeway for motorists equipped with DAB + receivers.
Several months of work for DAB+ deployment
To enable these radios to be broadcast in DAB+, TDF teams carried out new technical installations at each of the two TDF sites concerned. The work involved installing a new antenna system, a multiplexing cell and associated transmitters. Infrastructure adaptation work was also carried out.
In addition to broadcasting DAB+, the TDF infrastructures at La Flèche (Saint-Germain-du-Val) and Ceton also broadcast FM radio and host cell phone operators.
TDF, committed to DAB+ technology
As the benchmark technical operator for terrestrial television and radio broadcasting, TDF has been committed to 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 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 BU said:
"I'm delighted with the arrival of DAB+ on the extended Le Mans allotment, broadcast from TDF sites in La Flèche and Ceton. 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 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."
