The French regulator will continue to support experimental use until at least the end of the year to encourage deployment trials
The French telecoms regulator, Arcep, has launched a new consultation on its proposed framework for assigning spectrum in the 3.8-4.2GHz band for private mobile networks. The move is aimed at supporting business users, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, energy and local government, seeking to deploy high-performance private 5G infrastructure.
The consultation covers two draft documents. The first is a proposal detailing the licensing arrangements and obligations for business users. The second is a draft decision on the technical terms and conditions for frequency use in this band.
The 3.8-4.2GHz band has unsurprisingly emerged as a critical resource for low and medium-power private 5G networks across Europe. The European Commission has endorsed its suitability for vertical use cases, and the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) has published harmonisation recommendations following a 2021 mandate. These informed the CEPT ECC Report 88, which underpins Arcep’s proposed technical framework.
Arcep’s initiative follows a 2024 consultation that confirmed stakeholder interest in this spectrum, reinforcing the need for a localised, demand-driven licensing regime. The proposals include awarding blocks of 5 to 100MHz to users on a localised basis, via an online application portal (DALi). The regulator reckons the approach balances spectrum efficiency with flexibility for different use cases.
Some of the key features the plan include that in terms of spectrum access, frequencies will be licensed in circumscribed zones where applicants demonstrate a professional need. Licensees must also deliver effective usage, network availability of 99.9%, and robust service quality, including crisis resilience. Finally, where needed, synchronisation between neighbouring networks will be mandated to avoid harmful interference, especially in overlapping coordination zones.
Interference management
To ensure efficient coexistence, Arcep said it will impose a two-tiered geographic approach for spectrum use. Applicants must define a zone of authorisation, where they have exclusive rights to use the assigned frequencies, protected by a strict emission limit of 61 dBµV/m/5MHz at the boundary. Surrounding this is a zone of coordination, where lower emissions (capped at 26 dBµV/m/5MHz) are required to avoid interference with nearby users. This approach ensures protection from interference with existing services, including fixed satellite stations and radio altimeters.
Within these coordination zones, sharing may be possible, provided networks are synchronised and technical conditions are met. In areas where demand overlaps, Arcep said it will coordinate a case-by-case analysis, potentially requiring a common synchronisation frame to prevent harmful interference.
Window is open
Importantly, Arcep said it continues to support experimental use of the 3.8-4.0GHz band, a window it opened in March 2022 for industrial stakeholders to test 5G technologies. This trial window remains open until at least 31 December 2025, offering a flexible route for innovation ahead of full commercial deployment.
Overall, the consultation signals a logical step in aligning France with European efforts to harmonise 5G spectrum for industrial use. The consultation is open until 2 July.
