Announced earlier this year, the mobile network sharing SFR and Bouygues Telecom, announced the end of January, by which the two competing operators will combine much of their antennas to achieve savings and better cover the territory , met with many obstacles. In particular the failure of Bouygues Telecom to buy SFR, which will merge with Numericable, seemed to have broken the trust between the two partners. Orange also came to oppose the alliance, asking the Competition Authority to block the agreement. But the competition watchdog has just made a negative opinion.
“Entering Orange, which called urgently for an immediate suspension of the sharing agreement signed between networks Bouygues Telecom and SFR in January, the Competition Authority has rejected the request for provisional measures submitted by the operator, whereas no serious and immediate interests of the sector reached, consumers or the complainant company does was established “indicates the Authority in a statement released late Thursday afternoon.
Orange will appeal on 4G
Disappointed, Orange will not admit defeated, estimating that such rejection “ does not prejudge the decision on the merits, the statement continues. ” Above all, the operator will appeal to the Court of Appeal of Paris. The main point raised was that homelessness 4G Bouygues Telecom, whose network covers 70% of the population, should give SFR, which covers only 30%. This 4G roaming is officially begin this September and be completed by 31 December 2016 The Competition Authority minimizes the potential impact of this roaming “ should only affect about 20% of the population “and” not very densely populated areas “, so not the biggest cities,” the principal markets in which competition develops. “What that Orange contests.
“This is the national coverage that matters, not just the big cities. For SFR, this is not the same thing to announce 30% or 50% coverage through roaming is almost double! Orange, from 30% to 50% accounted for more than a year of intensive investment, we can not say that it is worthless and can erase a magic wand “an outraged door Floor-Orange.
The incumbent, who had been working hard in order to catch the deployment advance acquired by Bouygues Telecom in 4G with frequency reuse GSM (1800 MHz), considers “ incredible that the Authority of a valid commercial mistakes of SFR, which has deliberately chosen to under-invest in 4G while he had the means competition. “
renegotiate the financial terms of the agreement
Orange also warns that the sword of Damocles remains: he can enter at any time if the Authority considers that the effective implementation of this roaming penalizes if market effects are noticeable or if SFR abuse in communication for example.
As for lovers, it is nevertheless the relief and satisfaction, after months of uncertainty. “ The landscape cleared ” said one of the two operators, which emphasizes “ we bind our fates for twenty years! ” The agreement is no longer questioned but scripts will require some adjustments. In particular the financial conditions: in fact, the key (60% of the shared network being operated by SFR, Bouygues 40%) were taken before the publication of two studies Constable telecom (ARCEP). But they revealed that Bouygues Telecom SFR is passed as service its mobile network and its 4G coverage was twice that of SFR, which claimed “ over 40% ” in communications. However, the period of uncertainty at the head of SFR, awaiting the completion of its acquisition by Numericable, may complicate those discussions.
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