Arcom territorial delegations

At national level, Arcom summons frequencies assigned to the audiovisuel sector, guaranteeing reception quality for the public and optimal conditions of use for professionals. The Authority manages the frequencies summonsed to the audiovisuel sector, used for the diffusion of digital terrestrial television (DTT), FM radio and DAB+ radio (digital terrestrial radio), but also for satellite television and radio, as well as in other frequency bands. The Authority is supported by its regional delegations in implementing the frequency plan and allocating frequencies.

Territorial delegations have consultative powers vis-à-vis Arcom, and are responsible for examining applications for local radio and TV broadcasting summonses, and ensuring that licensees meet their obligations.

The delegations are responsible for examining requests for permission to broadcast terrestrial radio services, and for monitoring compliance by these services with their obligations. Territorial delegations may, at the request of Arcom's plenary board, take part in the examination of requests for authorization for local television services, and monitor compliance by these services with their obligations.

Territorial delegations also have decision-making powers on a number of matters concerning the monitoring of local and regional operators. This power is exercised (art 29-3 of the amended law of September 30, 1986), for example, on :

• renewal of existing authorizations ;
• requests for non-substantial modification of elements of the authorization or agreement (e.g.: requests to change broadcasting sites for category A radio stations and category B radio stations present in their own territory);
• the issue of temporary authorizations under article 28-3 of the law of September 30, 1986.

Territorial delegations may also organize public browsing within their geographical area.

Arcom has put in place appropriate procedures to preserve the decision-making and information role of the delegations, while ensuring the coherence of Arcom's overall action.

While Arcom is solely responsible for ensuring good FM and DAB+ radio reception, it works with the Agence nationale des fréquences (ANFR) to resolve incidents reported on television (DTT).

Poor or absent reception of television or radio has many causes, and requires the intervention of Arcom's technical attachés to detect the causes and implement technical or regulatory solutions.

Arcom's territorial delegation also ensures the protection of radio and TV reception.

When a reception problem, creating interference, arises from the proximity of localized emissions to mobile telephony installations, amateur radio, antenna amplifiers or electrical equipment (thermostats, motors, illuminated signs or even electric fences), the territorial delegation, in liaison with the ANFR in the case of TV reception, implements all applicable regulatory means to identify and stop the interference.

Particular attention is paid to TV reception problems linked to the cohabitation of mobile telephony services (4G-LTE and 5G NR mobile networks) with DTT services. The territorial delegation works with multiplex operators and mobile operators to rectify critical situations, notably by installing appropriate filters on the DTT receivers concerned. The process, in consultation with Arcom, ANFR, ARCEP and the operators, sets a deadline of three working days for remediation.

Other causes, such as those linked to weather conditions (pixelation, sound cut-off or signal loss) and antenna installation faults for which, respectively, viewers must wait for the end of the phenomenon without modifying their settings and summon an antenna specialist.

Territorial delegations verify compliance with authorized technical conditions.

At least once a year, the technical attachés of Arcom's territorial delegations check the transmitters of radio and television services authorized by Arcom. These checks can be carried out either from outside a radio broadcasting site, or with the site open, in the case of a more thorough check. The absence of interference from audiovisuel transmitters is also checked. They also intervene in cases of interference caused by audiovisuel transmitters, often due to transmitter malfunction or poor maintenance of transmitting antennas.

The territorial delegation detects unauthorized diffusions.

Checks to locate unauthorized ("pirate") broadcasts in the frequency bands allocated to Arcom are initiated as of identifications made during routine checks or reports, or alerts from the automatic monitoring networks available to Arcom, with priority given to those from the civil aviation directorate.

Since 2019, the regional delegations have been working with regional education bodies, such as the Centre de Liaison de l'Enseignement et des Médias d'Information (CLEMI), to support teachers in their classes or by taking part in teacher training courses.

Regional delegates also contribute to radio and TV operator dialogues with educational, associative, cultural and institutional players, by organizing regular meetings and round-table discussions.

Territorial delegates are involved in media literacy, information literacy and digital citizenship in three specific areas:

• social cohesion (epresentation of French society, rights of women, rights of people with disabilities, protection of young people and persons under 18, freedom of expression...);
• respect for royalties;
• best practices on social platforms and networks;