French telecom authority Arcep has awarded 5G spectrum to eight mobile network operators as part of the 5G licence assignment processes currently under way in Reunion and Mayotte. This follows the launch of the award procedures in August and the selection of the eight successful candidates in mid-October, namely four in Reunion and four in Mayotte.
In Reunion, Orange, SRR (SFR Reunion), Telco OI (Axian/Iliad) and Zeop Mobile have each been allocated a block of 5 MHz (paired) in the 700 MHz band, after agreeing to apply for this spectrum under a number of legally binding obligations that will be incorporated into their 5G licences.
These four operators will now need to bid for the remaining two blocks of 5 MHz still available in the 700 MHz band, as part of the planned second stage of the tender process.
The allocation of 3.5 GHz spectrum in Reunion has been finalised without the requirement for an auction. This is because the number of blocks available in this band matched the amount of spectrum sought by the four candidates. As a result, Orange, SRR and Telco OI have been allocated a block of 100 MHz each, with the remaining block of 80 MHz going to Zeop Mobile.
In Mayotte, the award of 700 MHz spectrum followed the same procedure as in Reunion. By accepting legally binding obligations, Maore Mobile, Orange, SRR and Telco OI have each secured a block of 5 MHz (paired) and will now participate in an auction for the remaining two blocks of 5 MHz available.
Maore Mobile and Telco OI also applied successfully to become candidates in the 900 MHz spectrum award. Arcep will deliver authorisations valid until the end of April 2025, when the existing licences in this band expire in Mayotte.
In this first phase of the process, Maore Mobile secured 1.6 MHz (paired), which will expand the operator's existing 900 MHz spectrum holding. This leaves 1 MHz still available in the 900 MHz band, which Arcep will allocate in the next stage of the award procedure.
