Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

France’s 700MHz Spectrum Auction Rakes in $2.9B

By Diana Goovaerts | November 18, 2015

Share

France’s 700MHz spectrum auction, which began Monday and closed Tuesday after 11 rounds, raked in nearly $3 billion (2.796 billion euros), the country’s regulatory agency announced Tuesday.

The final tally beat the 2.5 billion euros France’s regulatory body, the Autorite de regulation des communications electroniques et des postes (ARCEP), had hoped for. According to ARCEP, proceeds for each block also beat reserve expectations by about 50 million euros, totaling 466 million euros per block.

All four of the nation’s top carriers came away with new spectrum, with operators Orange and Free Mobile winning two blocks each and Bouygues Telecom and SFR winning one block each. The auction included a total of six 2×5 MHz blocks in a multi-round ascending model.

In statements released following the auction’s close, Orange said it now has 90 MHz of spectrum in total and 30 MHz of low-range spectrum; Free Mobile said it has 55 MHz of 3G and 4G spectrum; and SFR said it has 80 MHz spectrum total with 25 MHz in low-frequency airwaves. Bouygues Telecom said only that it holds a quarter of available spectrum.

ARCEP said it has yet to determine each operator’s placement within four possible positions on the frequency band between 703 MHz and 788 MHz, and has given the companies until Thursday to submit their preference along with the price they are willing to pay for their first choice. The regulator said operators who receive their second choice placement will pay two thirds of their first choice bid and those who receive their third placement preference will pay one third. Those who are given their last choice placement will pay nothing, ARCEP said.

The totals from the slot auction will be added to the results of the main auction, the agency said.

On Tuesday, the French Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs released a statement saying the government welcomed the results and said the auction satisfied all the objectives set by the government in July. According to the release, the total amount of money secured in this week’s auction topped the earnings from France’s 2011 auction of 800 MHz spectrum.

This week’s auction auction came as France looked to both to raise funds from “intangible State assets” and help the country continue upgrading and improving its lagging wireless networks. In Tuesday’s release, the government said the well-distributed auction results would allow each of the nation’s four operators the means to continue developing and enhancing their service offerings, both in 4G today and 5G tomorrow.

In its Tuesday release, the government said the auction winners will be held to certain network obligations going forward, including the expansion of coverage in rural areas and along the country’s 13,600 miles (22,000 km) of train routes.

In May, a report found that nearly 70 percent of French territory and 20 percent of the population were not yet covered by 4G services. In July, ARCEP announced that it had cleared operators to refarm the 1800 MHz band, used in the past for 2G services, for 4G services starting in May of 2016.


Filed Under: Telecommunications (Spectrum)

 

Related Articles Read More >

HH-Hood-Latch_Image
Southco’s ultra-thin hood latch for limited-space applications
Flying Focus: Controlling Lasers Through Time and Space
AT&T Scoops Up More Spectrum in Mexico at 2.5 GHz Auction
Tuesdays with Roger: New Millimeter Wave Spectrum Auctions

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings