Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR have all applied to take part in France’s upcoming spectrum auction, regulator Arcep announced this week.
In a statement on Tuesday, the watchdog said it will evaluate the telcos’ submissions to ensure they satisfy its eligibility criteria.
"Once this examination process is complete, around one month from now, Arcep will publish a list of the candidates that are eligible to participate in the frequency auctions," Arcep said.
France has set a reserve price of €416 million per 2×5 MHz block of 700-MHz spectrum, meaning that if all the frequencies are sold, the government will raise at least €2.5 billion.
In June, Germany became the first major economy in Western Europe to auction 700-MHz spectrum, selling 2×30 MHz and raising just over €1 billion. It was sold along with frequencies in the 900 MHz, 1500 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, and the process raised €5.1 billion overall.
France’s 700-MHz auction is due to kick off in November.
Licences will carry coverage obligations requiring winners to provide services in rural areas and along 29,000 km of railway lines.
