ARCEP - the telecom authority - has announced the auction results on licensing for low-frequency mobile fourth generation (4G). Located on the 800 MHz band, the frequency "gold" (due to their rarity) were eventually attributed to SFR, Orange and Bouygues Telecom.

Four blocks, three winners

SFR wins are two blocks of 5 MHz duplex (10 MHz in total), with the obligation to host MVNOs, all for a bid of 1.065 billion euros. For its part, Orange is given a block of 10 MHz duplex, also with the obligation to host MVNOs, with a bid of 891 million euros. Finally, Bouygues Telecom won the last block of 10 MHz duplex (always required to host MVNOs) against 683.087 million euros. Having won no bid, Free Mobile can still use the SFR network in the 800 MHz band, with just a roaming agreement.

Finally, the allocation of the bands 2.6 GHz and 800 MHz will be allowed to return to 3.575 billion euros into the coffers of the state against "only" 2.5 billion expected.