The 700 MHz mobile broadband in France in 2015 – Silicon

Here we go! The frequencies in the 700 MHz will be auctioned in 2015 and is the ARCEP (Autorité de regulation of electronic communications and postal) which, as it should, take care of organize the process. This band of 96 MHz ( 694-790 MHz ), previously used for terrestrial broadcasting, must be reassigned to mobile phones across Europe.

C ‘ At least that was announced Francois Hollande at a seminar organized by the CSA (Audiovisual Council) in Paris October 2. “It is imperative” , said the head of state without specifying the organizational date of the auction. No timetable has been mentioned either side ARCEP, according to AFP.

€ 2 billion minimum license

And for good reason. The announcement seems premature with the timetable mentioned by Europe. In its report on the use of frequency bands, the former Commissioner Pascal Lamy calls for reallocation of 700 MHz from 2020 with a tolerance of two years (read L Europe wants to reserve the 700 MHz band to Mobile Broadband ). Nevertheless, it is a European recommendation and commitment of each EU country to adopt the allocation of 700 MHz telecom sector may take some time. If there is no hurry, so do not dawdle. To date, only Germany, Finland and Sweden have decided. France could be the next country to get involved. Note that 700 MHz is already used in Asia and North America and in Africa should be the will of the International Union of Telecommunications (ITU).

The sale of this new digital dividend constitute a welcome source of revenue for the state in these times of economic scarcity. Recall that the 30 MHz of the 800 MHz band had, in December 2011, reported more than $ 2.6 billion to the state. Much more than the 1.8 billion floor price set. In the case of 700 MHz, we speak of 96 MHz of spectrum. More than three times more than the 800 MHz band. In its draft Finance Bill 2015, the state has already now expected to draw more than 2 billion euros in revenue, as noted by our colleagues NextInpact.com.

Free the first person

However, it remains to verify operators’ appetite for this new frequency band to be used in particular to implement the very high speed on the longer distances and better penetration of buildings than high frequencies (2600 MHz). New golden frequencies on which Free should be the first to throw since it is the only one of four French mobile operators do not have licenses 800 MHz. Nevertheless, at a time when 4G is far from a full tank (5.5 million users at 30 June 2014, ARCEP) and where operators are faced with high levels of investment in high speed broadband, mobile and fixed, and recipes that retreat, they probably will not rush to put their hands in their pockets. In 2011, they spent more than € 3.5 billion to offer 4G licenses

federicofoto © photo credit -. Shutterstock

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