On 13 September 2021, Arcep launched two public consultations on the two draft award procedures for the following frequencies:
- A draft procedure for assigning 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band spectrum in Guadeloupe and in Martinique;
- A draft procedure for assigning 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band spectrum in Saint-Barthélemy and in Saint-Martin and 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz band spectrum in Saint-Barthélemy.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their contributions before 26 November 2021.
These public consultations are part of the process of assigning new frequency bands for the deployment of public mobile networks in France’s overseas departments and territories, to be able to satisfy the ever-growing needs of consumer and business users wanting to access high quality and reliable superfast mobile services.
The planned assignment conditions and procedures align with the guidelines set forth by the Government in a letter written by Sébastien Lecornu, Minister for Overseas France, and Cédric O, Secretary of State for the Digital Transition and Electronic Communications, dated 27 August 2021. These guidelines seek to promote regional digital development and ensure fair and effective competition in Guadeloupe, in Martinique, in Saint-Barthélemy and in Saint-Martin. These conditions and procedures include a series of provisions designed to improve mobile coverage and connectivity in these territories, which were established in close collaboration with local authorities.
Contributions to the public consultations will enable Arcep to finalise these award procedures. Arcep will then submit its final text to the Government, with a view to performing frequency assignments in the first half of 2022.
The press kit attached to this press release contains a summary of the main assignment and procedural stipulations.
Associated documents:
- The press kit with the procedure and conditions for assigning frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Guadeloupe, in Martinique, in Saint-Martin and in Saint-Barthélemy, and in the 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands in Saint-Barthélemy: publication of draft decisions for the purpose of consultation
- Public consultation on the draft annex to the decision proposing the procedures for awarding licences to use frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique and in Guadeloupe
- Public consultation on the draft annex to the decision proposing the procedures for awarding licences to use frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Saint-Martin and Saint‑Barthélemy and in the 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands in Saint-Barthélemy
- Stakeholders’ contributions to the public consultation that ran from 2 October 2020 to 15 January 2021 on the assignment of new frequencies for mobile networks in the 700 MHz and 3.4 ‑ 3.8 GHz bands in Martinique, in Guadeloupe, in Saint-Martin and in Saint-Barthélemy
- Stakeholders’ contributions to the public consultation that ran from 25 March 2021 to 23 April 2021 on the assignment of frequencies in the 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands in Saint-Barthélemy