Paris - Apr 25, 2012 - According to an article in Les Echos, France's CSA has announced to all radio organizations that in the early part of May 2012 it will solicit applications for digital radio stations for 20 more cities throughout the country. Those 20 cities, in addition to Paris, Nice and Marseille (where applications are already in place) will cover nearly two thirds of the country.

SIRTI (which represents community and independent stations) and Radio France are in approval of the forthcoming call for applications. Radio France's participation will be dependent upon government funding, which is in question, since the current government is not in favor of the initiative.

Other commercial radio operators throughout the nation are opposed.