The company Bolloré Telecom holds 22 frequency licences whose authorisations are restricted to providing fixed internet access services (point to multipoint wireless local loop) in the 3400 – 3490 MHz band in Metropolitan France.
In a letter dated 10 December 2020, Bolloré Telecom referred a requested to Arcep to lift this restriction on the use it could make of its spectrum holdings, pursuant to Para. III of Article 59 of Decree No. 2011‑1012 of 24 August 2011 regarding electronic communications.
In accordance with the regulatory framework, the Authority must examine the request within eight months of having received it and, “take the appropriate measures to ensure that the principle of equality between operators and the conditions to ensure effective competition are met”.
As a result, on 15 April 2021 Arcep is launching a public consultation on the request from Bolloré Telecom to lift the restrictions on the services it is authorised to provide using 3400 – 3490 MHz band frequencies. Stakeholders have until 15 May 2021 to submit their responses.