Free Mobile launches mobile services (France)
Mobile subscribers in France now have a fourth operator to choose from as Iliad’s Free Mobile launched its voice and data services in the country this week. As per reports, Free Mobile will offer users unlimited calls, SMS and MMS along with free internet access up to 3 GB for US$ 25.5 per month.
The operator has launched these highly competitive price plans in a bid to compete with its rivals and invite more subscribers. Xavier Niel, Chief Strategy Officer, Iliad has reportedly said that they aim to provide users with complete access to the internet including peer-to-peer access and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) among others.
Further, according to sources Free Mobile has signed an agreement with U.S. handset maker Apple and will offer customers Apple handsets with multiple payback schemes.
France raises US$ 3.45 billion in 4G mobile licence auction (Europe)
Mobile operators Bouygues Telecom, Orange France and SFR were successful in winning 4G mobile licences in the 800 MHz band. According to reports, the Government of France was able to raise US$ 3.45 billion through this second round of auction.
The country’s telecommunications regulatory authority, ARCEP, is hopeful that these licences will help improve the competition in the wireless industry. Sources claim that both Orange and Bouyges Telecom were awarded one frequency block each for US$ 1.16 billion and 890.3 million respectively. SFR was the only operator successful in acquiring two frequency blocks for US$ 1.4 billion.
Telecom operator Free Mobile was unable to acquire a licence, but reports reveal that the operator will be able to offer services on SFR’s network under certain conditions.
Free Mobile selects Forsk’s Atoll software for 3G network (France)
Free Mobile has selected RF planning and optimization software provider Forsk’s Atoll software for the design of its mobile network.
Free Mobile is a new incoming mobile operator in France and is designing its 3G network planned to be on-air early in 2012. Forsk has delivered licences of Atoll and Atoll ACP (Automatic Cell Planning) for UMTS, together with implementation and mentoring services.
France Telecom signs mobile network deal with Iliad
Iliad has stated that France Telecom has agreed to let rival Iliad’s Free mobile operator associate on its French 3G and 2G networks until it has had time to establish its own.
According to Iliad, this agreement will take effect once Free Mobile has deployed a network that offers coverage for 25% of the French population.
Free bought France’s fourth 3G licence in December 2009 for US$332.80 million and is planning to launch its service next year.
Free’s entry in French market gets complicated
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The unwillingness of the French incumbents Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom to discuss 3G network sharing arrangements has posed a threat to the wireless market entry of Iliad’s Free Mobile in the country.
The operator has planned to enter the market in 2012 but the prospects look set to be ‘seriously complicated’ the paper writes. The big three cellcos have thus far declined any offers to negotiate the use of their 3G networks and are currently only discussing 2G roaming agreements and this is the major reason behind the problem.
While Orange and Bouygues have apparently refused to enter into negotiations on the matter, SFR only wants to discuss a roaming offer to its subscribers for 2G, as the law requires. As per the local media, Arcep may be forced to step in to resolve the situation or that, failing that, Iliad could go before the Competition Authority or the Council of State to seek a sensible resolution.
3G network-sharing agreement signed by French mobile operators
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: An agreement has been signed between three established mobile phone operators of France to share third-generation mobile network installations in order to extend 3G network coverage across the country.
Principles on how to share 3G mobile network deployments has been laid down in the framework agreement signed by France Telecom’s Orange, Vivendi SA’s SFR and Bouygues’ Bouygues Telecom on February 11.
According to French telecoms regulator Arcep, the agreement will help speed up the extension of the 3G network in France and will enable full nationwide coverage by the end of 2013. Terms for the inclusion of Iliad’s Free Mobile in the agreement will also be discussed by the three operators before May 31, 2010.
Telenor reaches 100 million mobile subscribers
Telenor has signed up its 100 millionth mobile subscriber. The milestone was achieved at its Hungarian operator Pannon, where the customer was given free mobile usage for a year and trip to
Norway
. The Norwegian company offers mobile services in 13 countries and earlier predicted passing the 100-million subscriber mark this year. It last reported 96 million subscribers at the end of June. The subscriber figures are based on 100 percent of consolidated and associated operators. On a consolidated basis, accounting for less than 100 percent ownership of some associates, the company has 56.5 million subscribers at the start of September.
Source- http://www.telecompaper.com
