French mobile and broadband operator Bouygues Telecom will increase its 3G+ network speed to up to 42 Mbps, ten times its current maximum, CEO Olivier Roussat told journalists. 01net reports that the upgrade will start in Paris, Lyon and Marseille before the end of the year, followed by ski resorts in February 2012 and all of France's large cities by the middle of 2012. Within 18 months two-thirds of data traffic will be carried over this new technology, he said. The move is an interim measure until the launch of LTE services. Roussat expects delays in obtaining authorisations to install new LTE base stations, especially in Paris. The first LTE base stations are not expected to be up and running until the end of 2012. The operator also said it was working on a femtocell to extend mobile internet coverage in homes for LTE. Unlike its rival SFR, Bouygues will not use femtocell for 3G+.
