Senegal’s digital terrestrial radio network has begun broadcasting, but its initial footprint remains concentrated around Dakar, with a single transmission site serving approximately 28% of the country’s population. Switched on on 29 October, the network uses Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus (DAB+) technology and currently reaches Dakar and parts of the Thiès region.
The initial technical deployment comprises one transmission point in central Dakar, operating from an 80-metre mast. Three 600-watt transmitters carry two multiplexes, distributing a total of 32 radio stations. The signal reportedly extends beyond 73 kilometres, reaching areas including Kayar, Thiénaba and Nianing.
The launch provides digital radio coverage to a portion of Senegal’s population, but large parts of the country remain outside the network’s current footprint. Tambacounda, Kédougou, Matam and Casamance are among the areas without coverage. No timetable for expanding the network to these regions was published at launch.
Responsibility for the network’s infrastructure has also shifted. Under a protocol signed on 10 September, the signal distributor took over the infrastructure from the telecommunications regulator and is now responsible for commissioning, operation and maintenance. The regulator retains responsibility for frequency planning and control.
The director general of the signal distributor has identified two outstanding challenges: the availability of compatible DAB+ receivers and the cost of accessing multiplex capacity. Smartphone reception is another limitation, with the director general noting that DAB+ broadcasts cannot currently be received directly on smartphones.
The number of services carried has also changed between pre-launch and post-launch reporting. Reports ahead of the 29 October switch-on indicated that 18 services would be available at launch. The subsequent technical account describes 32 stations across the two multiplexes. The difference points to a need for further clarity on the final service line-up and which stations are currently broadcasting.
For Senegal’s radio sector, the network introduces a new digital distribution platform with the potential to carry multiple services through shared transmission infrastructure. However, its early reach highlights the importance of nationwide rollout planning, affordable multiplex access and the availability of receivers if broadcasters and audiences are to benefit beyond the capital.
The next phase will depend on how quickly coverage expands beyond the Dakar region and whether the cost and equipment barriers identified by the network operator can be addressed.
