5G Frequency Spectrum in France

France has allocated two frequency bands for 5G:

French telecommunications regulator Arcep completed the 5G auction for 3.4 – 3.8 GHz frequencies in the n78 band in October 2020. The initial stages of the process took place in January 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic forced delays upon the rest of the process. It saw all four major operators of France get 5G spectrum and raised a total of €2.79 billion ($3.28 billion).

The regulator said in a release that it sold 110 MHz spectrum with Orange securing the largest chunk of 40 MHz, while SFR won 30 MHz, and Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile (Iliad) both received 20 MHz each. When combined with the initial auction in January 2020, 310 MHz of spectrum has now been allocated for 5G deployment.

Arcep’s specifications for the 5G auction stipulate that each operator must launch 5G services in at least two cities before the end of 2020. Each carrier should deploy 3,000 sites by 2022, 8,000 sites in 2024 and 10,500 sites by 2025. Eventually, all the cell sites must provide a 5G service using frequencies in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band or other bands, according to the regulator.

See other 5G Spectrum Allocations in Europe.

See other 5G Spectrum Allocations Globally.