Paris, 10 September 2015
Starting on 25 May 2016, Free Mobile will have a 15 MHz duplex in the 1800 MHz band. ARCEP has adopted a decision assigning the operator an additional 10 MHz duplex on that date, to supplement the 5 MHz duplex which it has already been assigned in this band.
This decision follows through on the decisions adopted on 4 April 2013 and 30 July 2015, which set the terms and conditions for Bouygues Telecom, Orange and SFR refarming the band for 4G, and which plans on having these three operators relinquish a portion of their frequencies so that they might be assigned to Free Mobile.
This marks the final stage in implementing the guidelines on introducing technological neutrality in the 1800 MHz band, which were published on 12 March 2013.
As result, starting on 25 May 2016, the 1800 MHz will be assigned as follows:
Linked documents
> The decision (pdf - 449KB) (in French)
> ARCEP guidelines (in French)
> Press release of 30 July 2015