The French Telecommunications Authority launches a call for applications to establish and operate two nationwide networks

Paris, 7 July 1997

The French Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ART) launched a call for applications today to enable it to select one or two digital mobile radio operators, subject to frequency availability.

ART plans to issue the licences in the autumn so that the networks can be operational in 1998.

Following the public call for comments issued last April on the introduction of digital mobile radio systems for business users in France, ART received 29 contributions from French and foreign operators, manufacturers, administrations, business organisations and users (see list in annex). These confirmed widespead support for the rapid introduction of these systems in France.

Trunked mobile network licences have been issued to analogue operators since 1991. At the end of May this year these networks represented about 50,000 terminals shared between over 4,300 business fleets. The introduction of digital mobile radio networks should enable users' requirements to satisfied more effectively, particularly with regard to data transmission.

Administrations

- French Interior Ministry

- French Telecommunications Ministry - Directorate of Posts and Telecommunications (DPT)

- French National Frequency Agency (ANFR)

Operators

- France Télécom Mobiles

- Protocall Ventures (United Kingdom)

- Regiocom

- S 3 RP - Orbicom (Bouygues group)

- Société d'exploitation de réseaux de télécommunications aéroportuaires (SERTA)

Manufacturers

- Ericsson

- Matra Communication

- Motorola

- Nokia Telecommunications

- Sagem

- Simoco

- Tait France

Business organisations

- Association des constructeurs et industriels en radiocommunications cellulaire et professionnelle (ACIRP)

- Association française des utilisateurs du téléphone et des télécommunications (AFUTT)

- Association des opérateurs 3 RP

- Club informatique des grandes entreprises françaises (CIGREF)

- Fédération interprofessionnelle de la communication d'entreprise (FICOME)

- Groupe des industries de télécommunications d'électronique professionnelle (GITEP)

- Groupe permanent radio professionnelle (GPRP)

- Syndicat national des installateurs en radiocommunications (SNIR)

- Tetrapol Forum

Major users

- Electricité de France (E.D.F.)

- Régie autonome des transports parisiens (R.A.T.P.)

- Société des autoroutes du Nord et de l'Est de la France (SANEF)

- Société nationale des chemins de fer français (S.N.C.F.)