Xavier Niel a
took everyone by surprise yesterday by opening its 4G network to
commercialisationbut also and above all by displaying prices
similar to those proposed for 3G. In a context where the operators
for several months have been highlighting 4G and its performance sold in
in the context of packages more expensive than the 3G offer, this could only
the effect of a bomb.
Many of you reacted in the comments: the pro free,
the anti free and the least we can say is that Xavier Niel once
further shook the telecoms landscape. A constant for some
years.
Morewhat does the competition say?She expressed herself in the
stride, and... it rocks!
Orange on the attack
The first reaction was that of Orange through the voice ofDelphine
Ernotte, the deputy general director of Orange and boss of Orange
FranceIn
Liberation here.
Besides a frontal attack "I feel more like a feverish Xavier Niel and
a defensive posture in the face of the success of our 4G offer", indicating
that Orange plans to have 1 million 4G subscribers at the end of the year, it
uses the Free network:
"700 antennas in 1,000 cities, that makes you laugh! We, we
we will have 3,800 at the end of the year... We wish good luck to the subscribers of
Free. They're going to have to find the antenna, get under it, and
that they don't move anymore".
The interview then becomes more technical: "Their 4G network broadcasts
on a frequency, 2.6 GHz, which waters over a radius of 600 to 700 meters
only ! We are also deploying on 800 MHz, a frequency which
carries much further".
Finally, when asked about Orange 4G prices, for which a
increase was planned for January, the manager of Orange confirms not
changer ses plans "…but we will wait until February. We would have reacted if
Free on 4G had been a serious competitor".
The subject ofoffers
Sosh low-costwhich could allow Orange to position itself on 4G
facing Free as was the case for 3F, is not mentioned... For
the moment?
Free responds, The ANC publishes…
The Libération newspaper also offers
an interesting article herefollowing an interview withMaxime
Lombardini, general manager of Free. He returns to this
coverage issue:
"700 antennas, that's roughly what SFR had for its 4G in the 1st
November".
The article indicates that if Free concedes that "half of SFR's antennas
transmit on a frequency, 800 MHz, which extends much further",
the operator will not stop there:
"We have 2,500 3G antennas and they are dual-mode (3G/4G). They have
therefore vocation to migrate in the weeks and months which
come".
Regarding this assertion, a consultation
from the ANC barometer(National Frequencies Agency, in charge
of the management of the installation of transmitters and control) published yesterday
lets you know a little more about thecapabilities of each operator
by frequency band.
We note that if Free has so far deployed 700 antennas,
the operator has authorization to climb to double(1445
precisely).
We also see the results of the 4G antennas in service for each of the
operators, with a certain gap in capacities:
- Bouygues Telecom: 5392
- Orange : 3879
- SFR : 1013
- Free : 700
But that's not all and the interview perhaps announces the next
Battle of Free:the compatible phone subsidy
4G.
Maxime Lombardini indeed indicates: “We still have the project
to look into this part of the market interested in
aide".
Before or after Christmas? This may be the next shock announcement
from Free?
Finally,
at Challenge there, they indicate how to activate 4G for those
who have a compatible mobile (so not yet the iPhone 5c / 5s) with the
need to be connected to a Free antenna, not roaming for
l’activation.
For now, remember, the iPhone 5c and 5s, the only ones compatible with the
4G technology from Free, cannot yet be used in 4G, pending
of an operator update which will have to be pushed by Apple in the weeks
future.
We should talk about this subject of 4G again in the days and weeks
come !
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By : Keleops AG
founder of the site. Computer engineer and Internet specialist where he has held various positions of responsibility, Laurent has been passionate about mobility since the arrival of "PDAs" in the 90s. Journalist for 4 years for the magazine Team Palmtops (Posse Presse) and author of several books on the iPad published by Pearson.
