Simplifying access to spectrum is a first step toward more private 5G networks, addressing the price of licences will need to come next
France is getting serious about enabling industrial 5G: Earlier in March, the Government published a report of the Industrial 5G Taskforce, which found that while France is not significantly behind on a global scale with regard to industrial 5G, it needs to facilitate the deployment of private networks and accelerate experimentation. The report identified seven obstacles, including insufficient access to the necessary spectrum bands in a simple and cost effective way. Among other concerns was a lack of maturity of the French and European 5G industrial ecosystem, and a difficulty in finding the right skills to deploy and leverage industrial 5G.
Swift action followed: Arcep responded almost immediately to the first recommendation of the taskforce. On 15 March, it opened a trial platform to make the 3.8–4.0GHz band available for industrial uses. Companies active in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, energy, health, or smart cities will be able to obtain up to 100MHz for trials lasting up to three years, in the form of a local permit. This band is one of those identified as important in the report of the taskforce, and also close to the core 5G band (3.4–3.8GHz) which is the most commonly awarded internationally. Businesses can request a licence up until 31 December 2022. Arcep also acted on another recommendation of the report, and created a platform to simplify access to the 2.6GHz TDD band, which is already available for private uses.
France should take a leaf out of Germany’s book: Arcep’s initiative is a step in the right direction if France wants to see private networks flourish, but will need to be complemented by action from the state on how the price of these licences is set (the Government has committed to reforming the decree that regulates spectrum fees). The report notes that access to the TDD band currently costs around €70k for a minimum area of 100km2, whereas in Germany a local permit in the 3.7–3.8GHz band would cost €3k for 4km2 – a size much closer to the average of an industrial site. Germany has widely been recognised as the European leader in 5G private networks, with the entire 3.7–3.8GHz band allocated to that purpose and more than 200 licences granted since November 2019. It probably won’t be until next year that private networks take off in France as a result of the terms of licences awarded to mobile operators in the 3.4–3.8GHz band. MNOs have to provide enterprises and local authorities with tailored solutions, or grant them local access to frequencies. They will also have to make network slicing available by the next year – something that’s expected to unleash the full potential of industrial 5G.
Source: https://en.arcep.fr/news/press-releases/view/n/5g-150322.html
