The French government and telecom regulator Arcep are inviting interested parties to apply for trial spectrum in the 26 GHz band to create 5G pilot platforms open to other market players. Alongside this call, Arcep is also opening applications for new 5G use cases on all available frequency bands. Applications will be accepted until 31 March.
In exchange for making their infrastructures available to third parties, the companies securing trial spectrum will be authorised to use 26 GHz frequencies for a period of up to three years. Additionally, the 5G pilot platforms created under the scheme will be subject to a favourable ‘regulatory sandbox’ framework, with reduced obligations for those carrying out tests. As a further incentive, companies will benefit from the expertise and administrative support of public authorities (government ministries, Arcep and frequency agency ANFR, among others).
As an additional measure, the government and Arcep will draw up an inventory of future 5G use cases across all available frequency bands, with the aim to facilitate the relationship between innovative companies and telecom industry players.
These announcements follow the decision to earmark 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G trials in selected areas of the country, part of the 5G roadmap launched in July 2018. As of 01 January, 57 cell sites were authorised for 5G pilots across the networks of Bouygues Telecom, Orange and SFR.
