French regulator Arcep has officially launched its new online mapping tool (https://monreseaumobile.fr), first introduced as a pilot for the Nouvelle Aquitaine region in March. The launch follows the introduction of additional obligations for operators to give more detailed information on the availability of mobile services to consumers.
In December 2016, the regulator specified plans to differentiate between areas with very good, good and limited mobile coverage (previously described as 'covered' with no distinction on quality). Enhanced maps for 2G mobile services have now been created for each mobile network in mainland France.
The new mapping tool also shows the results of Arcep's quality of service measurements taken under real-life conditions. All maps and information are available as open data files, in line with the requirement of the Digital Republic Act of 2016.
The next steps planned by the regulator are to enhance the coverage maps for 3G and 4G services between now and 2018, and extend the improved maps to the French overseas markets next year.