The number of LTE sites in operation across mainland France increased by 572 in November to reach 37,500 as of 01 December, based on the latest report from spectrum agency ANFR. Orange maintained the lead in cell site activations for a second consecutive month, adding 444 during November (+489 in October), reaching a total of 17,822. The pace of SFR’s activations picked up month-on-month to 258 (+203 in October), as it maintained its runner-up position in overall active antennas (16,861). In the same period, Bouygues Telecom's footprint increased by 190 to reach 16,551, while Free Mobile added 222, bringing its total to 11,866 LTE sites.
In the French overseas territories, the number of antennas authorised for LTE increased to 2,171, of which 1,986 were in service as of 01 December. Orange remained ahead of rivals with 863 cell sites in operation across the 1,800 MHz, 800 MHz, and 2.6 GHz frequency bands.
In mainland France, the 800 MHz band remained the most commonly used for LTE services, with 30,296 sites in operation, while the 1,800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands progressed to 27,811 and 23,222 active sites respectively. As in previous months, the 2.1 GHz band (authorised for LTE since the second half of 2017) and the 700 MHz band (undergoing the clearance process) continued to experience the fastest month-on-month growth rates. With 6,750 active sites overall, the 2.1 GHz band is currently used by SFR, Orange and Bouygues Telecom. Free Mobile is the dominant force behind activations in the 700 MHz band, having 2,993 sites in service out of a total of 3,373.
Looking at progress in 5G testing, the spectrum agency revealed that during November it authorised 25 new sites in the 3.5 GHz band. Out of these antennas, sixteen were activated by Orange, a further eight by SFR in the city of Toulouse and a new one by Bouygues Telecom in the Gironde department, where the operator now has nineteen test sites overall. Meanwhile, Orange has brought its total to 22 (5 in Marseille, 12 in the Nord department, 4 in Pau, and 1 near Paris, in Chatillon).