According to French paper Les Echos, the two companies’ CEOs have met with telecom regulator Arcep. The agreement under discussion covers 2G and 3G networks, but not 4G, and SFR and Bouygues are not expected to share mobile networks in densely populated areas. Bouygues Telecom COO Didier Casas said the potential alliance with SFR would allow the two to compete against Orange and Free, which roams over Orange's network.
Arcep has taken note of the announcement and reminds the industry that the LTE licensing plan put in place in 2011 is favourable to network sharing agreements under certain conditions. In its final form, the deal will enable the operators to rationalise their costs while maintaining satisfactory competitive conditions and users to receive a better service over the whole country.
