Arcep published the final results of the frequency assignment procedures for the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe on 19 December 2024[1]. On 18 February 2025, Arcep awarded operators the licences to use these frequencies.
In Martinique, the firms Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe, Orange and Outremer Telecom, are authorised to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands, according to the following arrangements:
In Guadeloupe, the firms Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe, Orange and Outremer Telecom, are authorised to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands, according to the following arrangements:
The award of these licences marks the completion of these assignment procedure. Arcep has authorised the operators to use 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies in Martinique and in Guadeloupe as of 18 February 2025[2], and the 900 MHz band frequencies assigned through this procedure starting on 1 May 2025.
Recap of the previous stages of the procedures in Martinique and in Guadeloupe
As a reminder, in September 2024, upon completing its examination of their tender dossiers, Arcep concluded that the firms Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe, Orange and Outremer Telecom were qualified to participate in the frequency assignment procedures for the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe. The Government launched these procedures in May 2024.
The frequency assignment procedures took place as follows:
Frequency assignment procedure for the 700 MHz and 900 MHz bands
- The principal auctions for the assignment of 700 MHz and 900 MHz band frequency packages, which were held on 1 October, made it possible to determine the blocks of frequencies obtained by each of the winning candidates, for the 700 MHz band, in the 703 – 723 MHz and 758 – 778 MHz sub-bands in Guadeloupe and in Martinique and, for the 900 MHz band, in the 885 – 915 MHz and 930 – 960 MHz sub-bands in Martinique and in the 890 – 915 MHz and 935 – 960 MHz sub-bands in Guadeloupe.
- The positioning auctions for 700 MHz band spectrum contained in the frequency packages, which were held on 22 October 2024, made it possible to determine the winning candidates’ positions in the 703 – 723 MHz and 758 – 778 MHz sub-bands in Guadeloupe and in Martinique.
The positioning auctions for 900 MHz band spectrum contained in the frequency packages, which were held on 14 November 2024, made it possible to determine the winning candidates’ positions in the 885 – 915 MHz and 930 – 960 MHz sub-bands in Martinique and in the 890 – 915 MHz and 935 – 960 MHz sub-bands in Guadeloupe.
Lastly, the principal auctions for the assignment of 5 MHz blocks in the 700 MHz and 900 MHz bands, which were held on 10 December 2024, made it possible to determine the spectrum obtained by each of the winning candidates, for the 700 MHz band, in the 723 – 733 MHz and 778 – 788 MHz sub-bands in Guadeloupe and in Martinique and, for the 900 MHz band, in the 880 – 885 MHz and 925 – 930 MHz sub-bands in Martinique and in the 880 – 890 MHz and 925 – 935 MHz sub-bands 880 in Guadeloupe.
Frequency assignment procedure for the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band
The examination of the tender dossiers made it possible to determine the assignment of a block of 50 MHz to each winning candidate, in exchange for a set of commitments. The principal auctions, which were held on 1 October 2024, made it possible to determine the frequencies obtained by each of the winning candidates from the remaining available spectrum in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band(180 MHz). The positioning auctions, which were held on 22 October 2024, made it possible to determine the winning candidates’ positions in the band.
Associated documents
- Page dedicated to the procedure
- Arcep Decision No. 2025-0121 of 18 February 2025 authorising the firm Digicel AFG to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe to establish and operate a mobile radio network open to the public
- Arcep Decision No. 2025-0122 of 18 February 2025 authorising the firm Free Caraïbe to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe to establish and operate a mobile radio network open to the public
- Arcep Decision No. 2025-0123 of 18 February 2025 authorising the firm Orange to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe to establish and operate a mobile radio network open to the public
- Arcep Decision No. 2025-0124 of 18 February 2025 authorising the firm Outremer Telecom to use frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe to establish and operate a mobile radio network open to the public
[2] In accordance with Arcep Decision No. 2024-0637, having obtained a quantity of 700 MHz band spectrum that would put it over the 30 MHz duplex cap between the start date of the licence to use 700 MHz band frequencies and 1 May 2025, Outremer Telecom will only be authorised to use 8.2 MHz in the 700 MHz band between the start date of the licence to use 700 MHz band frequencies and 1 May 2025.