France pockets 936 mn euros in 4G frequency auction
22.09.2011
France took in 936 million euros ($1.3 billion) from the auction of frequencies to build fourth-generation mobile telephone networks, telecommunications regulator Arcep said on Thursday.
France`s four network operators Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Free took the 14 lots on offer in the 2.6 gigahertz range, which are primarily for use in urban areas.
The French state had set a minimum price of 700 million euros.
Bids for the 800 megahertz frequencies, more adapted for use in rural regions but carrying a higher minimum price tag of 1.8 billion euros, close on December 15 with licenses to be awarded in early 2012.
Operators are keen to roll out fourth generation mobile networks to keep up with the explosion of Internet-capable smartphones as they offer transfer speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, as fast as home fibre optic connections.
Current third generation mobile networks offer speeds of only several megabits.
(c) 2011 AFP
Related news |
20.05.2010
German `4G` phone auction raises 4.3 billion euros
Europe`s first auction of "fourth generation" frequencies, which promise to revolutionise what mobile phones can do, raised more than 4.3 billion euros (5.3 billion dollars), authorities said... |
|
15.06.2011
France launches 4G mobile license auction
France on Wednesday kicked off auctions for frequencies to build high-speed fourth generation mobile telephone networks needed to keep up with the explosion of Internet-capable smartphones. ... |
|
11.04.2010
Germany holds Europe`s first `4G` auction
In 2000, at the height of the tech bubble, telecom operators fell over themselves to snap up 3G or third generation mobile licenses in an auction in Germany. In the hangover that... |
|
25.10.2009
India says will start 3G auction in January
India said Saturday a long-delayed auction of radio bandwidth for third generation (3G) telecommunications services will start in January and will be open to foreign companies. The... |
|
09.12.2009
India misses deadline for 3G auction
India`s government has missed a deadline for inviting bidders to take part in its long-awaited auction for third generation (3G) mobile telecom services. The invitation delay comes... |
|