Arcep is launching a public consultation on the assignment of frequencies in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band to deploy public mobile networks in Mayotte, with a view to assigning spectrum for a period of up to 15 years. Stakeholders are invited to submit their contribution before 7 April 2025.
The passage of cyclone Chido in the archipelago of Mayotte in December 2024 caused massive human and material damage, and fixed and mobile network infrastructures were not spared. With a view to rapidly restoring access to telecommunications and internet services across the territory, Arcep held a first public consultation from 20 December 2024 to 9 January 2025 to collect operators’ requests for the “award of temporary frequency licences to restore and strengthen the capacity of public mobile networks in Mayotte”.
Authorisations to use frequencies in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands were already issued in February
This first consultation confirmed public mobile network operators’ interest in having access to additional frequencies in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands in Mayotte, to help rapidly restore superfast internet access. To this end, on 6 February Arcep issued temporary frequency licences in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands in Mayotte, to offset the risks of overloading mobile networks while work is being done to restore infrastructures, particularly in cases where they will be used to provide fixed access services as a stopgap solution before deploying superfast fixed networks.
The six-month assignment period for the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band deemed insufficient by all mobile network operators
Operators were also queried on their spectrum requirements in the 3420 – 3800 MHz (hereinafter “3.4 – 3.8 GHz”) band, where frequencies were made available for a maximum six months. The feedback to this public consultation confirmed stakeholders’ interest in having access to 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band spectrum, first to be able to provide 5G services in the territory of Mayotte and, second, to be able to satisfy the additional capacity needs of mobile networks in Mayotte. All of the mobile operators nevertheless deemed the six-month period insufficient to make use of the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies, given the time and investments needed to deploy new equipment. This feedback led the Authority to launch a new consultation today, with a view to assigning spectrum in this band for a period of up to 15 years.