French mobile operators Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have signed a 3G network sharing agreement, which aims to enable nationwide coverage by the end of 2013.
Last April, the telecoms regulator ARCEP laid out principles for operators to share their 3G…
French mobile operators Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have signed a 3G network sharing agreement, which aims to enable nationwide coverage by the end of 2013.
Last April, the telecoms regulator ARCEP laid out principles for operators to share their 3G network installations based on the French law on modernising the economy.
In a release, ARCEP said: “Putting this sharing agreement into effect will make it possible to extend 3G coverage more easily and more quickly in some 3,600 municipalities across the country, which correspond those covered in the “2G dead zones” programme plus 300 other municipalities. These rollouts, which are due to be complete by the end of 2013, therefore go well beyond the three operators’ 3G coverage obligations.”
The three operators have also agreed to discuss the entry of Free Mobile, which was awarded the fourth 3G licence in January this year, into the agreement before 31 May.
