Ahead of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès unveiled a major upgrade to its mobile network infrastructure, delivering optimal 4G and 5G connectivity throughout its venue. The enhancement is part of a broader drive to position the iconic building as a model of technological excellence and sustainability.
The project, led by French telecom operator Free and co-financed in partnership with Bouygues Telecom, Orange and SFR, involved the installation of a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) designed to significantly improve mobile coverage indoors. Spanning over 35,000 square metres, the network features 33 antennas across four strategic zones and more than three kilometres of cabling, enabling seamless coverage in key areas such as the Louis Lumière Auditorium, Hall Riviera and Théâtre Debussy.
Free, acting as the lead operator, was responsible for coordinating the installation, which also includes ongoing operation, supervision and maintenance of the system. The infrastructure allows for up to 2,350 simultaneous connections in the main auditorium alone and integrates 5G capability from the outset, with the option to scale further based on future demand.
Beyond performance, the system represents a significant step forward in eco-conscious infrastructure. By consolidating equipment that was previously spread across multiple technical rooms and powering it through a single, centralised energy source, the initiative dramatically reduces energy consumption. This aligns with the Palais’ broader sustainability goals.
The new setup ensures that the thousands of festival attendees, as well as delegates from conferences and events held year-round, will benefit from fast, stable and responsible mobile connectivity — a vital asset for a venue that serves as a global meeting point for the creative industries.
