On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, a major technical rollout took place across eighteen sites throughout France, significantly improving access to digital radio broadcasting. Infrastructure operator TDF officially commissioned 22 new DAB+ transmitters. The move represents the latest phase of the national development plan aimed at delivering stable, high-quality broadcast signals even to previously underserved areas.
The primary benefit of this modernization wave is stronger coverage for national radio stations carried on the M1 and M2 multiplexes. This digital network now reaches a larger swath of mainland France, with particular focus placed on key transport corridors and regions where coverage had lagged. The transition to DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) represents a milestone for radio akin to the rollout of DTT for terrestrial television.
The new network of 22 DAB+ transmitters across 18 sites significantly improves listening continuity for drivers on key motorways such as the A75, A20, and A28.
Key Motorway Corridors Covered
A top priority of the rollout is ensuring continuous listening for motorists. Thanks to the new transmitters, black spots across numerous motorways and arterial roads have been eliminated. In practice, drivers can now travel long distances without signal dropouts or the need to retune stations when crossing regional borders.
Specifically, coverage has been expanded across the following motorway sections:
- A75 motorway – coverage reinforced by the Sévérac-le-Château and Massiac transmitters.
- A77 and A19 motorways – sites at Montargis-Amilly et Lorraine, Gien-Arrabloy, and Pouilly-sur-Loire are now live.
- A20 and A28 motorways – served by new transmission points at Razès Les Prades and Alençon-St Germain.
- A64 and A85 motorways – upgrades completed at Lannemezan-Peyrehitt and Huismes.
- A88 motorway – now covered by the Falaise-Villers transmitter.
Regional Expansion Across Six Territories
Beyond transit routes, the improvements benefit inland areas and urban agglomerations. The new infrastructure spans six French regions: Normandy, Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In Normandy, towns such as Bayeux and Alençon now enjoy improved reception, as do Lodève and Saint-Chély-d’Apcher in Occitanie.
Delivering the project required intensive efforts from TDF's technical crews, who had to navigate site-specific terrain and structural configurations. The project involved complex engineering, and installation at several sites required heavy machinery, including cranes. In extreme cases where rough terrain demanded it, transmitter components were even delivered by helicopter.
DAB+ broadcasting provides listeners with free-to-air digital sound quality and enriched visual metadata at no cost.
The Future of Radio in the Digital Era
DAB+ technology serves as a modern complement to traditional FM broadcasting. For listeners with a compatible receiver, it offers free access to digital-quality audio with greater resistance to interference. The standard also supports ancillary information and visual elements displayed directly on radio screens, enhancing the user experience both at home and on the road.
Pascale Varnière, Director of TDF's Audiovisual Division, noted that by commissioning these twenty-two new transmitters, TDF continues to expand DAB+ nationwide, strengthening coverage along motorways and across regional areas. She highlighted that this milestone reflects the daily commitment of technical teams and the determination of broadcasters to advance digital radio in France.
With this deployment, TDF solidifies its role as a long-term partner to radio broadcasters during the transformation of terrestrial transmission. While October 27, 2026, marks an important milestone, the digitization of the French airwaves continues. Subsequent phases of the national rollout will proceed in line with multiplex deployment strategies and regional technological needs.