4G trials overseas

Paris, 13 March 2014

ARCEP has granted a request from the Société réunionnaise du radiotéléphone (SRR) to perform 4G trials in the 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands.

These trials, which will be carried out on three sites in Réunion, located in Saint Denis and Sainte Marie, will allow the operator to test a 4G network deployment using LTE technology.

This is the second test of its kind to be authorised in French overseas markets: the first authorisation was issued in 2013 to Dauphin Telecom, for 4G trials in the 800 MHz band in Gustavia (Saint Barthélemy), Sainte-Anne (Guadeloupe) and Marigot (Saint Martin).

As the Government and ARCEP announced on 20 February 2014, calls for applications will be issued before the end of Q1 2014, with a view to awarding frequency licences for these 4G networks in the French overseas territories. These trials are thus being conducted in the run-up to these calls for applications.

In the meantime, ARCEP welcomes all requests to perform trials with a view to preparing for and furthering the development of 4G in the overseas markets.