Vivendi reports 7% rise in revenues (France)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 6.9 percent increase in the revenue, up from EUR 25.39 billion a year earlier to 27.13 billion in 2009, has been reported by French entertainment and communications group Vivendi. Acquisitions made in 2008 were the major factor behind the growth.
According to the company, Activision Blizzard and SFR have met their targets due the success of the games Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, World of Warcraft, the successful integration of Neuf Cegetel into the new SFR, and important market share gains in broadband Internet.
The EBITA of the company has been boosted by 8.8 percent to EUR 5.39 billion, reflecting the strong performance of Activision Blizzard. Vivendi’s adjusted net income fell to EUR 2.59 billion, or EUR 2.15 per share, in 2009, compared to EUR 2.74 billion or EUR 2.34 per share, a year earlier.
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.
Networks access fees to be increased by France Telecom
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The monthly line rental fees has been planned to be raised by France Telecom (FT) for the operators accessing its networks by EUR1 (USD1.39). The proposal is currently assessed by Arcep.
Operators such as SFR (including neuf Cegetel) and Iliad (Free) would be affected by the move as both of them use the networks for broadband services.
Arcep will meet with members of the government to examine the issue in the coming days.
France to sell of remaining 3G frequencies
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The two remaining frequencies left to be allocated for the fourth 3G wireless license will be sold by France at a price of EUR120 million (USD168 million). The same amount was paid by Iliad recently for Free Mobile’s 3G operating license. However, price will actually be determined by the regulator Arcep, and not the government.
There are three operating blocks in the fourth 3G license, out of which, one is for a new market entrant (Iliad), and the other two are open for any of the incumbent cellcos Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom.
Arcep will take the decision on the 3G spectrum in H1 2010 which would be followed by 4G auctions.
SFR, Bouygues sign mobile equipment deals with Huawei
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: French cellcos SFR and Bouygues Telecom has signed their mobile network equipment contracts with Chinese equipment maker Huawei Technologies while the deal concluded at the end of last year.
Until now, Nokia Siemens Network (NSN) and Ericsson supplied their 3G radio infrastructure to SFR and Bouygues, respectively.
The major reason behind this shift is cited as the price factor although Huawei said it was not undercutting rivals but more, valuing its technology at the right price.
Fibre co-investment to be tested by Orange France & SFR
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Test of the co-investment in fibre deployment in two towns in the Paris area will be done by Orange France and SFR, together. By rolling out fibre to sharing points in the municipalities of Bondy and Palaiseau, 100 to 1,000 homes will be served.
Palaiseau will be covered by Orange and Bondy will be taken care by SFR. The companies will share the investment and the operators are also thinking of forming a company that would be open to any operators who wish to join it. Fibre investment in moderately, densely populated areas, to be addressed in a speech by the Prime Minister on January 18 is related in the agreement.
A tender, with public subsidies as an incentive will be organized for a tender, with public subsidies as an incentive.
Orange & SFR warned by Arcep to meet 3G obligations
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: France Telecom and Vivendi SA has been warned by French telecommunications regulator Arcep to respect their obligations in terms of third-generation mobile coverage. According to Arcep, the 3G coverage of both the mobile operators did not meet the commitments made at the time of tenders for 3G licenses.
By August 21, Orange France’s 3G network covered 84% of the population and SFR’s covered 74% and on December 1, Orange covered 87% of the population and SFR covered 81%. However, Orange France has been asked by the regulator to reach 91% of the population by the end of 2010 and 98% by the end of 2011.
SFR is required to improve its coverage to 84% of the population by June 30, 2010, to 88% by the end of 2010, to 98% by the end of 2011 and to 99.3% by the end of 2013.
Bouygues SA’s Bouygues Telecom, on the other hand has already met the target of 75% by the end of 2010 by covering 80% of the population as of December 1.
France fourth 3G license has been given to Internet operator Iliad SA and the operator is committed to covering 27% of the population in 2012, 75% in 2015 and 90% in 2018.
