France - Current situation - History

17.02.2017

Following Paris, Nice and Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon and Lille will start to broadcast DAB+ in 2017, including services from Radio France (FIP and Mouv’) and RFI (Radio France International). Coverage proposals for Rouen, Toulouse and Nantes have been presented by the regulator to the radio editors.

Reportage on the ongoing  expansion of DAB+ in France [in French].

Current Situation

Digital radio launched in Paris, Nice and Marseille in 2014. Across the three cities over 100 services are on air - all but one are on DAB+.

In January 2015 the CSA published a report outlining its support for digital radio. 

In December 2015 the CSA adopted the conclusions from a June 2015 public consultation and defined the timetable it intends to implement to continue the deployment of Digital Broadcast Radio throughout mainland France. This schedule provides for the call-up of more than 40 regional allotments in metropolitan France beyond those of Paris, Marseille and Nice, which have already been the subject of an appeal, and more than a hundred local allotments. The timetable spreads from 2016 to 2023.

 Following a June 2016 call for application, 96 radios have been selected for Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg regions. Nantes, Rouen, Toulouse calls for application will happen in H1’2016 2016 with learning from Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg. , Bordeaux, Besançon, Orléans and Clermont-Ferrand will follow in 2017. All regional allotments are doubled up by local allotments in the same areas.

In order not to jeopardize the possible arrival of players who want a nationwide deployment, the CSA is reserving two national allotments. If required, more local calls for applications will be considered in the future. The CSA announced in January 2017 that they may consider a faster timetable, with a focus on regional multiplexes and high density population areas. Expect also a public consultation on main road coverage.

Trial services have been on air in Lyon and Nantes for several years. 13 stations are on air in Nantes. The trial service in Lyon are stopped as a regular service will be deployed.  An additional trial is taking place in Rambouillet with the stated objective to test digital radio in mobility, including a TPEG service and a dedicated automotive application called Carison. Two trials are also on air in Paris: a TPEG trial as well as a new trial in the eastern part of Paris, intended to supplement poor FM reception following request from listeners (the so called “sans radio” group). Radio France's portfolio of radio stations are broadcasting on this trial which is conducted by Towercast since early July 2016.

 

25.11.2016

President and CEO of Radio France, Mathieu Gallet, officially asked the French government for DAB+ frequencies in Strasbourg, Lyon and Lille. His request to the Ministry of Culture will be for Mouv’ to improve coverage in Strasbourg, and for FIP in both Lille and Lyon. Both stations currently have virtually no coverage in any of these three cities. More information [Relevant section is at time index 2:11:00].

Reportage on the ongoing  expansion of DAB+ in France [in French].

Current Situation

Digital radio launched in Paris, Nice and Marseille in 2014. Across the three cities over 100 services are on air - all but one are on DAB+.

At its meeting on 29 June in Berlin, the German-French Radio Commission requested the German and the French Governments to ask EU Institutions to assist with EU-wide market development of digital radio, by making it mandatory for all new radio receivers sold to be equipped with DAB+. This is particularly relevant for the automotive industry, to future-proof all vehicles coming onto the roads.

In January 2015 the CSA published a report outlining its support for digital radio. 

In December 2015 the CSA adopted the conclusions from a June 2015 public consultation and defined the timetable it intends to implement to continue the deployment of Digital Broadcast Radio throughout mainland France. This schedule provides for the call-up of more than 40 regional allotments in metropolitan France beyond those of Paris, Marseille and Nice, which have already been the subject of an appeal, and more than a hundred local allotments. The timetable spreads from 2016 to 2023.

The metropolitan areas of France to be covered include Lille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nantes, Rouen, Toulouse with calls for application in 2016, Bordeaux, Besançon, Orléans and Clermont-Ferrand in 2017 then the most populated areas from 2018 onwards. These regional allotments will be doubled up by local allotments in the same areas. The CSA completed another step before the actual call for application number 2 (Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg) with the publication of the impact study on April 19, 2016. Contributions from stakeholders have been received and the call for applications opened the 7th June 2016. Applications are now expected before the 19th July 2016. Up to 39 services could be authorized for each zone.

In order not to jeopardize the possible arrival of players who want a nationwide deployment, the CSA is reserving two national allotments. If required, more local calls for applications will be considered in the future. 

Trial services have been on air in Lyon and Nantes for several years. 13 stations are on air in Nantes, and 20 in Lyon. Lyon started broadcasting on a trial licence in April 2011. An additional trial is taking place in Rambouillet with the stated objective to test digital radio in mobility, including a TPEG service. Two trials are also on air in Paris : a TPEG trial as well as a new trial in the eastern part of Paris, intended to supplement poor FM reception following request from listeners (the so called “sans radio” group). Radio France's portfolio of radio stations are broadcasting on this trial which is conducted by Towercast since early July 2016.

20.07.2016

Reportage on the ongoing  expansion of DAB+ in France [in French].

Current Situation

Digital radio launched in Paris, Nice and Marseille in 2014. Across the three cities over 100 services are on air - all but one are on DAB+.

At its meeting on 29 June in Berlin, the German-French Radio Commission requested the German and the French Governments to ask EU Institutions to assist with EU-wide market development of digital radio, by making it mandatory for all new radio receivers sold to be equipped with DAB+. This is particularly relevant for the automotive industry, to future-proof all vehicles coming onto the roads.

In January 2015 the CSA published a report outlining its support for digital radio. 

In December 2015 the CSA adopted the conclusions from a June 2015 public consultation and defined the timetable it intends to implement to continue the deployment of Digital Broadcast Radio throughout mainland France. This schedule provides for the call-up of more than 40 regional allotments in metropolitan France beyond those of Paris, Marseille and Nice, which have already been the subject of an appeal, and more than a hundred local allotments. The timetable spreads from 2016 to 2023.

The metropolitan areas of France to be covered include Lille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nantes, Rouen, Toulouse with calls for application in 2016, Bordeaux, Besançon, Orléans and Clermont-Ferrand in 2017 then the most populated areas from 2018 onwards. These regional allotments will be doubled up by local allotments in the same areas. The CSA completed another step before the actual call for application number 2 (Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg) with the publication of the impact study on April 19, 2016. Contributions from stakeholders have been received and the call for applications opened the 7th June 2016. Applications are now expected before the 19th July 2016. Up to 39 services could be authorized for each zone.

In order not to jeopardize the possible arrival of players who want a nationwide deployment, the CSA is reserving two national allotments. If required, more local calls for applications will be considered in the future. 

Trial services have been on air in Lyon and Nantes for several years. 13 stations are on air in Nantes, and 20 in Lyon. Lyon started broadcasting on a trial licence in April 2011. An additional trial is taking place in Rambouillet with the stated objective to test digital radio in mobility, including a TPEG service. Two trials are also on air in Paris : a TPEG trial as well as a new trial in the eastern part of Paris, intended to supplement poor FM reception following request from listeners (the so called “sans radio” group). Radio France's portfolio of radio stations are broadcasting on this trial which is conducted by Towercast since early July 2016.