Did you know that analogue listening has been losing market share over the last 10 years, while all digital platforms are on the rise? *** More than 45 different combined DAB/DAB+ receiver models commercially available *** Sub €30 DAB radios are available to all via web sites such as Amazon *** Did you know that in countries where DAB/DAB+ is fully established, it is the fastest growing of all digital platforms? *** DAB+ allows approximately 20 audio services to be broadcast within a single Eureka 147 transmission *** DAB is now being made available across the range of the Automotive market, from VW campers to top of the range Audis *** DAB Slide show pictures enables advertisers to couple pictures with audio magnifying consumer brand awareness ***

Country Information for DAB, DAB+ and DMB - France

Select Country:
| Current situation | Coverage | Services on Air | Details of Trials | Regulation | Links |

WorldDMB Members News Latest News from France

UNIQUE INTERACTIVE APPOINTS VDL AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR DIGITAL RADIO DATA SOLUTIONS (04-11-2009)

Unique Interactive, a leader in the field of Digital Broadcast Data Services, has appointed VDL as a distributor. VDL will supply Unique Interactive’s full range of digital radio data solutions for the DAB and T-DMB digital radio markets, including the latest versions of their EPG Manager and ManDLS display text software solutions.
Read more... PDF document
Read older news...

Icon_country Country Update from France

10-06-2009

The French government announced that the Eureka 147 family of standards, DMB Radio, was chosen for its digital radio standard. In March 2008, the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) adopted the final text for the call for tenders for terrestrial digital radio which will be rolled out in Band III. The first step in the roll out of terrestrial digital radio will cover 30% of the population with in door coverage and over 50% outdoor population coverage. The CSA received an unexpectedly enthusiastic response for their call for licenses, with approximately 300 plus applications. A final decision on which services will be on-air is expected at the end of May 2009 at which point the fabrication of the networks can begin. In January 2009, a law was passed confirming that in the second quarter of 2009 a digital migration plan for the roll out of digital radio services shall be presented. It also sets out a three step programme of integration of digital radio into all receivers including those in cars. It states that on the 1st September 2013 all radio receivers must be digital enabled.

Current situation in France Top
Last update: 03-09-2008 - older versions

Population:63.0 million
Coverage:
Sparkline Graph 20%
Services:113 DAB, 33 Data
Last update: 18-01-2008

After the French government announced that the Eureka 147 family of standards, DMB Audio, was chosen for its digital radio standard, the French Minister for Culture and Communication signed the decrees that officially launched digital radio in France.  In March 2008 the “Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel” (CSA) determined the network parameters and called for tenders for DMB licences.  Licenses are yet to be awarded, but roll out is planned for Christmas 2008 with an initial objective of 50% population coverage. 

Coverage Top
Last update: 01-02-2008 - older versions

In France the trials (see below) licensed by the CSA cover around 20% of the population, mainly in the Paris area (five multiplexes) and Lyon (one multiplex). In addition to these audio services, there are also two Motorway Radio trials in certain areas.

Services on Air Top
Last update: 17-07-2008 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

During the trials, several radios stations will be on air and it is expected that about 50 programmes will be on air in Paris. The future operational transmissions, and, therefore, the contents of the multiplex, will be defined once new licences have been awarded in 2008.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB programmes 63 50 113
Data services 2 31 33
Total6581146

Details of Trials Top
Last update: 17-07-2008 - older versions

In the first half of 2007, the CSA, the French regulatory body, created a working group on digital radio and has now authorised eight trials to take place in France for a duration of six months; six in T-DMB, one in DMB and DAB+, and one in DRM.

Following the decree project by the French Ministry of Industry, the Digital Radio Association launched one trial to compare DAB+ and DMB. This trial took place in Nantes at the end of July 2007. Six other trials have also been authorised. These trials will demonstrate the capacity of both standards for radio services and applications for associated data services.

Operator System  Band  Location  Duration 
TDF DMB III & L Paris 6 months
Towercast DMB III & L Paris 6 months
VDL DMB III Paris 6 months
Cofiroute & TDF DMB L A10 Motorway between Tours Poitiers 6 months
Association DR DMB & DAB+ III Paris and Nantes 3 months
ASF & VDL DMB III A7 Motorway between Lyon-Valence 6 months
TDF Radio France DMB III Lyon 6 months
TDF DRM MW & 26 MHz Paris and Rennes 6 months

A 12-month trial of DMB, broadcasting TV and radio took place in Paris in 2005 and 2006.

Regulation Top
Last update: 08-01-2008

DAB licences will be issued with a duration of 10 to 15 years. Broadcasters going digital will get a five year extension of their analogue licences. Simulcasting, associated data and audiovisual communication services will be permitted. Analogue and digital licences are both issued free of charge. There is a quota for French music and new artists and the current analogue rules which govern advertising and sponsorship will apply to digital radio.

Useful Links Top

http://france.digitalradiodr.com
http://www.csa.fr
http://www.radio-numerique.fr/
http://www.radionumerique.org