French regulator Arcep has issued the first frequency authorisations to develop 5G pilots in the 3.5 GHz band (3400 - 3800 MHz), after inviting applications from interested parties in January. Orange will be allowed to use a portion of spectrum for twelve months, starting from June, in the cities of Lille and Douai. The operator had already announced the timing of these pilots, alongside its plans to test 5G-based fixed access in Romania.
Arcep has also issued a temporary spectrum licence for 5G pilots to Bouygues Telecom, which applies to the cities of Bordeaux, Lyon and Villeurbanne. The authorisation, which expires in September 2020, covers three technical tests in the Bordeaux metropolitan area taking place later this year, between May and September.
In related news, the regulator has also granted use of the 3.5 GHz band in the French overseas territory of St. Barthelemy-St. Martin to enable operators including Orange Caraibe to offer LTE connectivity in areas where the damage from hurricane Irma has disrupted the provision of fixed broadband services.