3G: ARCEP reviews the introduction of 3G in the OD. GSM: a new operator authorised to extend its GSM activity in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana.

Paris, 5 June 2008

Initial review of the licensing procedure for 3G mobile operators in the OD

Following expressions of interest by certain market players, ARCEP opened its first-come-first-served 3G licensing procedure in the 2.1 GHz band for overseas departments and collectivities on 30 January 2008. The introduction of the third generation based on the UMTS standard (3G) is an opportunity for consumers living overseas to receive new or more advanced services, in terms of speed, than can be offered by the GSM second generation, just like residents of Metropolitan France.

Since the band’s opening,

• three mobile operators have been licensed for Réunion: Orange Réunion, SRR and Outremer Télécom

 

• two mobile operators have been licensed for Antilles/Guyana: Orange Caraïbes and Outremer Télécom

 

Each of these was already present for 2G in the areas for which they were licensed for 3G. The first commercial 3G launches could be made by the end of 2008, and these operators are required to deploy a network covering at least 70% of the population in each of the areas in which they were licensed by 2013.

Extension of current GSM mobile operators’ activity in the Caribbean

Plus, as part of the first-come first-served GSM frequency licensing procedure opened in 2000, ARCEP has just licensed a new 2G entrant in each of the three overseas departments in the Caribbean arch: Guadeloupe Téléphone Mobile, Guyane Téléphone Mobile and Martinique Téléphone Mobile.

The licensing of these three companies is part of an extension of the operator UTS Caraïbes (owned by the UTS NV group, the incumbent of the Dutch Antilles), already licensed to operate a GSM network in Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. These companies have also indicated that they eventually plan to extend their activity to 3G.

Overseas mobile operators

The following mobile operators are present in overseas departments and collectivities:

The first-come first-served 2G and 3G licensing procedures remain open for all players wishing to deploy a second- or third-generation mobile network in overseas departments and collectivities.

N.B.: The next issue of La Lettre de l’Autorité will be released in a few days, and will focus on overseas telecoms.