The operators undertake to cover the white areas by the end of 2016 – France Mobile

The operators undertake to cover the white areas by the end of 2016

An agreement was signed between the four main operators and the government, to ensure coverage of the white areas quickly. Following this agreement, ARCEP has the right to punish those who do not meet this deadline.

This agreement initially concerns the 2G network, and on the other, as well as 3G Exchange of Data. Both objectives must be met during the next two years. The agreement stipulates that operators undertake to cover rural areas with the 2G network by the end of 2016 as some areas still do not have mobile phone service.

However, the real goal would arrive to offer 3G and mobile Internet 2 200 municipalities by mid-2017. For the Department, it is inconceivable that more than 2,000 towns still do not have access to mobile internet. Bercy insists that operators remedy this solution, hence this agreement and discussions on the means put in place to facilitate the process.

If 160 municipalities have already identified as a priority, a census is always necessary to determine the areas to be covered in terms of networks. To facilitate the coverage of these areas, the Department encourages operators to find common solutions. However, in the case of a breach of this agreement, Constable telecom, ARCEP, has again the possibility of penalizing operators.

In 2014, the return to an ecosystem three operators seemed to be the watchword. These measures take a somewhat different direction. Indeed, the new policy on operators would solidify a deal with the four players already (Orange, SFR, Numericable, Bouygues and Free).