The Paris landmark has grown six metres (20 ft) this week after new broadcasting antenna was attached to the top of the tower.
The antenna, for DAB+ digital radio, was airlifted by helicopter to the top the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday. As a result of the new addition, the Eiffel Tower is now 330 metres high.
The new installation is designed to boost reception of digital radio services in and around the French capital.
The DAB+ antenna was secured above the Eiffel Tower’s digital terrestrial television antenna in just 10 minutes.
French broadcast infrastructure company TDF were responsible for the installation. They said it was the first time a helicopter has been used for the installation of new equipment on the Eiffel Tower. The antenna weighs 350 kg.
According to TDF, the new DAB+ antenna will enable the reception of digital radio to be optimised in the area. It’s part of a wider expansion of digital radio coverage in the country.
Underneath the DAB+ antenna, the digital terrestrial television transmitting antenna is currently being used to carry a three channel UHD test service using the HEVC codec.
The Eiffel Tower’s range is up to 70km (43 miles). It’s been used for broadcasting since the beginning of radio in France. As a result, its height has varied as different broadcasting antenna has been attached to the top. But it’s the first time the height of the Eiffel Tower has changed in the last 22 years.
Main Image: Eiffel Tower, Paris by Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0