Paris, 15 December 2011
The calls for applications for spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 800 MHz bands, to be used for ultra high-speed mobile networks, were issued on 15 June 2011.
On 11 October, ARCEP awarded 4G licences to the winning candidates of the selection procedure for licences in the 2.6 GHz band: Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange France and SFR.
The allocation of 800 MHz-band spectrum, resulting from the digital dividend, is a separate procedure for which the deadline for applications was 12 p.m. on 15 December 2011.
ARCEP received four applications within the set time limit from the following companies:
- Bouygues Telecom - owned by Bouygues (89.50%) and JC Decaux Holding (10.50%);
- Free Fréquences - owned by Iliad (95%) and Free Mobile (5%);
- Orange France - a subsidiary of the France Telecom group;
- Société française du radiotéléphone (SFR) - a Vivendi subsidiary.
ARCEP will now examine these applications, and particularly their eligibility, in accordance with the procedure stipulated in the call for applications. The results of the procedure will be announced in the coming weeks.