France will be covered in 3G by 2013

Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have signed a framework agreement to accelerate deployment of 3G network, which should cover the whole of France by the end of 2013.



ARCEP adopted April 9, 2009 decision, taken under the Act to modernize the economy (LME), laying down the principles of sharing between plant operators 3G mobile network. In this context, Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have entered February 11, 2010 a framework agreement for shared 3G network facilities.
The implementation of this division will facilitate and accelerate the expansion of 3G coverage in about 3,600 communes, corresponding to those already covered under the program areas 2G white "and 300 additional municipalities within the end of 2013. End of 2009, ARCEP had given notice SFR and Orange to meet their obligations to cover the population in the deployment of 3G network. Indeed, dated August 21, 2009 (date of expiry of the commitments made by operators in obtaining their license in 2001), Orange covering 84% of the population (instead of 98%), and SFR covered only 74% of the population (instead of 99.3%). Only Bouygues Telecom is making student since the third mobile operator has exceeded its commitment to the deployment of 3G network with 80% of the population for a target of 75%.
This facility sharing between operators rely heavily on second-generation infrastructures. Following the award to Free Mobile the fourth 3G license in January, the three operators have also agreed to discuss modalities to include, by May 31, 2010, Free Mobile in agreement .