French regulatory body ARCEP said it has received four bids for 800 MHz spectrum licenses as a follow up to 2.6 GHz spectrum licenses issued earlier this year. The spectrum licenses are expected to be used by operators to roll out LTE-based 4G services.
The four new bids — and their respective owners — were from Bouygues Telecom (Bouygues and HC Decaux Holdings, Free Fréquences (Iliad and Free Mobile), Orange Telecom (France Telecom) and SFR (Vivendi).
All four companies involved in the 800 MHz auction were awarded licenses earlier this year in the 2.6 GHz band. That auction raised $1.28 billion, with the winners also agreeing to host mobile virtual network operator services on those networks.
Carriers are expected to use the 2.6 GHz licenses in dense, urban environments, while the 800 MHz licenses are expected to provide broader, rural coverage. Results from the latest round of bidding are expected to be release in coming weeks.
Bored? Why not follow me on Twitter?
