The exact price and terms are still being worked out, but France is preparing to auction off a new round of wireless frequencies for fourth-generation wireless networks this summer.
Industry Minister Eric Besson told (Reuters that a minimum price is still being set for the spectrum, but the government hopes to raise about $2.67 billion through the sale.
“We are relatively confident,” he added. “These frequencies are of very, very high quality.”
While France’s mobile operators are all likely interested in the frequencies, they are also reportedly lobbying the government to charge less for the spectrum, having felt burned by the high prices paid for spectrum tailored for France’s existing 3G networks.
France’s telecom regulator ARCEP is expected to give the government its proposals soon and a call for bids could get underway by late January or early February.
Besson also said the frequencies will be sectioned off in four lots: “two of 10 megahertz and two of five megahertz.”
France readies spectrum auction for 4G networks
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