TDF teams are mobilized in New Caledonia for the last phase of the national DTT frequency reorganization.
In October 2022, TDF technicians will be working on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting sites in New Caledonia to rearrange frequencies.
A nationwide mobilization for TDF, close to each territory
The major national plan to rearrange DTT frequencies, which began in October 2017, is entering its final phase. Over the past five years, these operations have concerned households in mainland France, Reunion Island, French Polynesia and, now, New Caledonia. The technical interventions were carried out according to a schedule defined by Arcom (ex-Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel), based on geographical zones.
This plan enables the transfer of the 700 MHz frequency band to telephone operators, in order to improve mobile coverage of the territory.
As part of this nationwide operation, nearly 500 TDF technicians had to deal with unforeseen circumstances and sometimes extreme weather and access conditions. To ensure maximum continuity of service, each of the transfer operations required several weeks, even months, of preparation and work. In all, TDF worked on nearly 1,600 broadcasting sites throughout mainland France and the French overseas territories. At every stage, the work was carried out successfully.
Technical precision and expertise
In New Caledonia, the work will mainly involve changing the multiplexing cell and modifying the transmission configuration. On this occasion, TDF will rearrange thirty frequencies on twenty-two broadcasting sites (eighteen sites belonging to TDF and four sites managed by local authorities).
DTT is broadcast on Grande-Terre, Ouvéa, Ile des Pins and Belep. Operations on this island territory require specific technical skills, know-how and expertise. TDF technicians are mobilized before and after each operation to ensure continuity of DTT broadcasting service for the population.
A supervision unit has been set up to closely monitor the entire operation at the TDF sites concerned.
In New Caledonia, frequencies will be rearranged, zone by zone, from October 5 to 26.
October 5: Mont-Do, Thio Saint-Philippe, Bourail Château d'eau, Bourail Bouemien, Bourail Nessadiou and Canala Prokomeo
October 12: Houailou Pic Bâ, Houailou Ouani, Houailou Mont-Kanique and Ponérihouen Gogoroto
October 13: Houailou Aoupinié
October 17: Voh Témala and Ile des Pins Pointe Ita,
October 18: Belep
October 20: Ouvéa Pointe Gervaise
October 25: Kouaoua Mé Firo
October 26: Houailou Moin Oro and Tontouta Bangou.
New Caledonian households using DTT to receive television will need to carry out an automatic channel search to continue receiving all channels. Viewers experiencing difficulties can call the support service set up by the ANFR office in New Caledonia on 28 52 80 (08:00 to 16:00, toll-free).