French telecoms operator Iliad Group has confirmed that it has applied for the allocation of 3G/4G spectrum in the French overseas territories (departement d’outre-mer, DOM) of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Reunion and Mayotte. The company said that the applications in Reunion and Mayotte were submitted via Telco OI, which is jointly owned by Iliad and Axian Group (previously Hiridjee Group). Iliad has earmarked an EUR100 million (USD113 million) investment in the rollout of services in the DOM regions, with plans to ‘provide users in these territories with straightforward, innovative offerings at attractive prices.’
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, French telecoms watchdog the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (Autorite de Regulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes, Arcep) revealed that 25 operators submitted bids for the award of frequencies in the DOM. The available spectrum – in the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands (yet unallocated overseas), along with additional frequencies in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands – is scheduled to be awarded in the autumn of 2016. Arcep will issue four 4G concessions in each of the territories.