Since the start of the year, France's fourth MNO, Free Mobile, can use 900MHz returned by incumbent MNOs Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom to extend its network into big cities. Free Mobile has been able to use 900MHz spectrum outside very densely populated areas since July 2011, but had to wait until the start of 2013 to do so in France's eight biggest metro areas. Les Echos reports that the spectrum Free gains comprises 4.8MHz from Bouygues, 2.4MHz from Orange and 2.4MHz from SFR. The 900MHz band will allow Free Mobile to cover four times as much area as the 2.1GHz frequencies it currently uses for 3G. The lower band is also better for in-building coverage.
This is critical in a context where it is difficult to gain permission for new cell sites. The expansion will not be overnight, as Free still needs rooftop locations. The three incumbents will miss the spectrum they have been using to carry voice communications. Free will only provide use 900MHz for 3G and will continue to use its roaming deal with Orange for voice. So far Orange and Bouygues have only started offering 3G over 900MHz in small cities, and SFR has done so in France’s second city, Lyon, to complement its LTE rollout there.
