Four operators bid for French 800MHz LTE spectrum

French telecommunication regulator Arcep has received four applications for LTE licences in the 800MHz band. The authority already awarded 2.6GHz LTE licences to the same bidders, Orange France, Free Mobile, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, for EUR 936 million, in mid-October. The new allocation of 800MHz spectrum, which came from the 'digital dividend' or analogue TV switch-off, is a separate procedure for which the application deadline was 15 December. Arcep said it will examine the applications and will announce the results of the procedure in the coming weeks.