PfAs part of its ongoing modernization program, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès has initiated the installation of a (Distributed Antenna System (DAS)), co-financed by the Palais and the four national operators: Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange and SFR. This ambitious project bears witness to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès’ commitment to guaranteeing impeccable quality of service, including in terms of technology. As the leading operator, the Palais entrusted Free with the management of the project, in close coordination with its technical teams and the other operators. The result: a state-of-the-art mobile network, fully integrated into the architecture of the building and designed to meet the most demanding uses. Free is also in charge of network operation, supervision and maintenance.
The new system, comprising 33 antennas spread over four strategic zones and linked by over 3,000 meters of cable, covers some 35,000 m², including the main reception, exhibition and projection areas. Thanks to this deployment, up to 2,350 simultaneous connections can be handled in the Auditorium Louis Lumière, 1,900 in the Hall Riviera and 1,100 in the Théâtre Debussy. This scalable infrastructure natively integrates 5G and can be upgraded in the future, according to the needs of the Palais and its events.
In addition to its performance, this new system has significantly reduced energy consumption. By pooling equipment between operators – previously spread across several technical premises – consumption is now centralized and optimized. The infrastructure is thus powered by a single source of energy supplied by the Palais, contributing to its commitment to sustainable development.
“Managing a multi-operator DAS project of this scale within a tight timeframe represented quite a challenge: a challenge met by our teams, who once again demonstrated Free’s expertise in indoor mobile coverage. Thanks to their work, all festival-goers will benefit from optimal 5G coverage: more powerful, more extensive and more responsible. And I’m sure that this will give the 78th Cannes Film Festival an unprecedented reach!”
“Connecting the world to reveal talent is much more than an ambition: it’s our raison d’être. By equipping the Palais with state-of-the-art mobile connectivity, we are creating the ideal conditions for exchanges, creations and encounters to unfold without limits, right in the heart of Cannes.”
Portrait Jean Michel Arnaud Official Palais