Following through on the publication of the two Orders of 29 and 30 September 2022, launching the procedure for awarding frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Guiana, in Saint Barthélemy and in Saint Martin, and in the 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands in Saint Barthélemy, Arcep invited all interested parties to file their tender dossier before 12 pm (Paris time), on 13 December 2022.
Frequency award procedures in Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin
Four companies filed a tender dossier for the award of frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Saint‑Barthélemy and Saint-Martin before the 12 pm (Paris time) deadline on 13 December 2022:
- Dauphin Telecom;
- Digicel AFG;
- Free Caraïbe;
- Orange Caraïbe;
The four applicants each requested to be awarded one of the four 50 MHz blocks in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band that will be awarded in exchange for making the commitments set out in the procedure.
Two companies filed a tender dossier for the award of frequencies in the 900 MHz band in Saint‑Barthélemy and Saint-Martin before the 12 pm (Paris time) deadline on 13 December 2022:
- Free Caraïbe;
- Orange Caraïbe.
Two companies filed a tender dossier for the award of frequencies in the 2.1 GHz band in Saint‑Barthélemy and Saint-Martin before the 12 pm (Paris time) deadline on 13 December 2022:
- Free Caraïbe;
- Orange Caraïbe.
Companies that did not file a tender dossier will not be able to participate in the awards procedure for 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies – neither the assignment of 50 MHz blocks of spectrum, nor the assignment of the frequencies that remain available after that first stage – or in the award procedures for 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz band frequencies.
Arcep will now examine the candidates’ tender packages. It will ensure that they comply with the procedure’s eligibility and qualification criteria, then draw up the list of qualified candidates for the first stage of the process, dedicated to awarding the blocks of 50 MHz in 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band. Once this examination is complete, Arcep will publish the list of the candidates that are eligible to participate in the auctions for 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band spectrum in Saint-Martin and à Saint-Barthélemy, and for 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz spectrum in Saint-Barthélemy, along with the results of the assignment stage for 50 MHz blocks in 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band in both Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.
The 700 MHz band frequencies that remain available after this first stage dedicated to assigning 50 MHz blocks in 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band in each of these two territories, along with 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz band frequencies in Saint-Barthélemy, will then be awarded through an auction procedure that will take place in the following weeks, so that the licences can be awarded in July 2023 at the latest.
Frequency award procedure in Guiana
Four companies filed a tender dossier for the award of frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz bands in Guiana Martin before the 12 pm (Paris time) deadline on 13 December 2022:
- Digicel AFG;
- Free Caraïbe;
- Orange Caraïbe;
- Outremer Telecom.
All four candidates have stipulated their desire to obtain one of the four blocks of 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in the 700 MHz band that will be assigned in exchange for the commitments set forth in the procedure.
Companies that did not submit a bid package will not be able to participate in the assignment procedure for 700 MHz band frequencies – neither the assignment of 5 MHz (paired) spectrum, nor the assignment of the frequencies that remain available after that first stage – or in the assignment procedure for .4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies.
Arcep will now examine the candidates’ tender packages. It will ensure that they comply with the procedure’s eligibility and qualification criteria, then draw up the list of qualified candidates for the first stage of the process, dedicated to awarding the blocks of 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in the 700 MHz band. Once this examination is complete, Arcep will publish the list of the candidates that are eligible to participate in the auctions for 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band spectrum, along with the results of the assignment stage for 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in the 700 MHz band.
The 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies that remain available after this first stage dedicated to assigning 5 MHz (paired) blocks of 700 MHz band spectrum, will then be awarded through an auction procedure that will take place in the following weeks, so that the licences can be awarded in July 2023 at the latest.