The two public consultations being launched today concern:
- A draft of the arrangements for assigning the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band in Metropolitan France, which includes the obligations that would be attached to the licences awarded to business users
- A draft decision on the technical terms and conditions governing use of frequencies in this band, identified for the establishment of local private mobile networks.
This frequency band, which has been identified to serve needs of “verticals” (businesses operating in manufacturing, health, energy, local authorities…) was the subject of an initial public consultation in 2024
On 23 July 2024, Arcep launched an initial public consultation whose purpose was to gather stakeholders’ feedback on the principles governing the assignment of the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band for the deployment of local private mobile networks. Based on the responses to this public consultation, Arcep confirmed its plan to implement a framework for assigning the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band for the deployment of local mobile networks for commercial purposes.
It is useful to remember that the European Commission considers the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band adequate to meet the frequency needs of verticals wanting to establish local mobile networks for low and medium-power applications.
The 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band is central to the European process for harmonising 5G industrial use cases
In response to a mandate from the Commission, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications administrations (CEPT) adopted a report on technical conditions for use of the 3.8-4.2 GHz frequency band by low and medium-power broadband systems. The conclusions of this report are due to be subject to harmonisation across the EU as part of an implementing decision from the European Commission that is in the process of being drafted.
The draft decision on the technical terms and conditions of use, which Arcep is publishing today for consultation, draws on the conclusions of this work by CEPT and on the feedback to the public consultation held in 2024. This draft decision also sets out technical conditions that take the national situation into consideration, and which seek to protect mobile operators’ uses below 3.8 GHz, those of fixed satellite service (FSS) earth stations in the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band and radio altimeter applications above 4.2 GHz.
Contributions must be received by 2nd July 2025.
As a reminder: in March 2022 Arcep opened a window for trials in the 3.8 – 4.0 GHz band for manufacturers and industry players wanting to experiment and test 5G use cases. The window will remain open until at least 31 December 2025, and allows any stakeholders that so desire to apply to Arcep for temporary licences to use frequencies in this band to conduct trials.
Associated documents
- The public consultation includes:
→ Draft document on the arrangements for the assignment of frequencies in the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band (in French)
→ Draft Decision setting the terms and conditions for using frequencies in the 3.8 – 4.2 GHz band (in French)