Digital mobility is reopening an old question about universal access.
Paris
France’s leading radio associations are urging the European Union to require FM and DAB+ receivers in all new vehicles, arguing that traditional radio remains an essential public service rather than an obsolete feature. Their request comes as European institutions prepare new telecommunications rules that could redefine how drivers access radio inside cars. The central demand is simple: motorists should be able to receive radio directly and free of charge without relying on mobile data, subscriptions or external applications.
The concern reflects a growing change in vehicle design. Some manufacturers have begun removing conventional radio receivers from entry level models as dashboards become increasingly centered on smartphones, streaming platforms and integrated digital services. Dacia has eliminated the receiver from the Essential version of the Spring, while certain Citroën C3 configurations have followed a similar path. Tesla has also reduced reliance on conventional broadcast radio in parts of its vehicle lineup.
French broadcasters argue that this shift carries consequences beyond entertainment. Traditional radio does not require user registration, personal data or a stable internet connection, giving it a level of accessibility and anonymity that connected platforms do not always provide. The associations also emphasize its role in democratic debate, culture, verified information and emergency communication. In their view, the ability to receive a broadcast signal should remain a basic capability inside vehicles.
European regulation already addresses part of the issue, but not completely. Since 2020, cars equipped with a factory installed radio have been required to support DAB+ digital broadcasting. The rule, however, does not force manufacturers to include a radio receiver in the first place. Broadcasters argue that this legal gap effectively allows companies to comply by removing the component entirely.
Emergency communication has become one of their strongest arguments. During major power outages, wildfires and network disruptions, broadcast radio can remain functional when internet based services become unavailable or overloaded. That resilience gives FM and DAB+ a different strategic value from streaming platforms, particularly during crises when access to reliable information becomes critical.
The dispute therefore reaches beyond nostalgia for traditional radio. It raises a broader question about whether connected cars should depend entirely on digital ecosystems controlled by manufacturers, platforms and mobile networks.
Technology may change how people listen, but access should not disappear with the interface.