French regulator Arcep has published a summary of the 66 contributions to the public consultation published in January on the future allocation of several frequency bands for 5G and other uses.
The analysis of the responses has enabled the regulator to confirm that its proposals on 2.6/3.5 GHz frequencies will go ahead as planned. In the 3.5 GHz band (3400-3800 MHz), at least 40 MHz will be allocated for the deployment of fixed wireless broadband networks in rural locations, with the start of the procedures expected in September following a consultation opening in July. An additional 10 MHz in the same band could also be reserved for the same purpose in selected areas of the countries, subject to technical feasibility.
What remains of the 3.5 GHz band will be assigned to future 5G services, with more than 300 MHz of contiguous spectrum expected to be available by 2020. The regulator plans to earmark a sub-band of 80 MHz within this band (3600-3680 MHz) for 5G pilots. To this end, it is inviting interested parties to come forward and has already identified six urban areas suitable for the pilots (Lyon, Nantes, Lille, Le Havre, Saint-Etienne and Grenoble). The procedures for the attribution of 5G spectrum are likely to start in 2018.
In the 2.6 GHz TDD band (2570-2620 MHz), 40 MHz will be allocated for professional mobile radio (PMR) networks, with the start of the procedures expected by the end of the year, after a consultation period in the autumn.
Source: https://www.telecompaper.com/news/arcep-to-allocate-2635-ghz-frequencies-open-5g-pilots--1201229