The procedures for the award of 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 Saint-Barthélemy, began on 29 and 30 September 2022. As announced by the Authority on 13 December 2022, four companies[1] filed their applications for frequency allocation procedures in the territory of Guiana and four companies[2] filed an application for the procedures in the territories of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
Frequency assignment procedures in Guiana
Having completed its examination of these tender dossiers, Arcep concluded that the companies Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe, Orange Caraïbe and Outremer Telecom:
- are eligible to participate in the procedures for the award of 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies;
- made the four commitments set forth in the specifications[3] and, once the present procedure is complete, can each be awarded a block of 5 MHz (paired) of spectrum in the 700 MHz band;
The four applicants are now authorised to participate in the auction stage for the assignement of the two remaining blocks of 5 MHz (paired) of spectrum in the 700 MHz band, and for the assignment of the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band in Guiana.
Frequency assignment procedures in Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin
Having completed its examination of these tender dossiers, Arcep concluded that the companies Dauphin Telecom, Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe and Orange Caraïbe:
- are eligible to participate in the procedures for the award of 700 MHz and 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band frequencies in Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin;
- made the four commitments set forth in the specifications[4] and, once the present procedure is complete, can each be awarded a block of 50 MHz in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band in Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
Companies Free Caraïbe and Orange Caraïbe are eligible:
- to participate in the procedure for the assignment of 4.8 MHz (paired) in the 900 MHz band in Saint-Barthélemy;
- to participate in the procedure for the assignment of a block of 5 MHz (paired) of spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band in Saint-Barthélemy.
The four applicants are now authorised to participate in the auction stage for the assignement of the remaining 10 MHz of spectrum in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHz band, and for the assignment of the 700 MHz band in Saint-Barthélemy and in Saint-Martin.
Free Caraïbe and Orange Caraïbe are also eligible to participate in the main auction for the 4.8 MHz pair of duplex frequencies in the 900 MHz band, and the assignment of the 5 MHz pair of duplex frequencies in the 2.1 GHz band in Saint-Barthélemy.
Associated Documents:
• Web page dedicated to the procedure
• Provisional timetable and practical information
[1] The companies Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe, Orange Caraïbe and Outremer Telecom filed tender dossiers for the frequency award procedures in Guiana.
[2] The companies Dauphin Telecom, Digicel AFG, Free Caraïbe and Orange Caraïbe filed tender dossiers for the frequency award procedures in Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
[3] Supply of a fixed internet access solution through their mobile network, activation of voice and texting over Wi-Fi services, increased transparency from operators on their deployment forecasts and greater transparency from operators on their outages.
[4] Supply of a fixed internet access solution through their mobile network, activation of voice and texting over Wi-Fi services, increased transparency from operators on their deployment forecasts and greater transparency from operators on their outages.