Free asks govt, Arcep to take more time on LTE auction

News Wireless France 12 APR 2011
Free asks govt, Arcep to take more time on LTE auction
French ISP Free has written to Eric Besson, industry and digital economy minister, to urge the government and regulator Arcep to ensure that LTE spectrum be allocated to all four mobile carriers, including Free Mobile, launching in early 2012. Les Echos reports that Free founder Xavier Niel wrote that he saw "no urgency in attributing the spectrum", given yet unresolved technical problems. He proposes that Arcep reduce its coverage targets and make infrastructure sharing an obligation in rural areas. Niel calls for another public consultation before drafting the final copy rather than seting it in stone in a sense of urgency. The regulator plans to launch the LTE, or 4G mobile, tender in May.

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Free,  Arcep,  Free Mobile

Countries:

France

Tags:

Government telecommunications licensing, Voice services, Messaging, Wireless, Internet Access, 4G - LTE

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