How many active 5G antennas does France have to date?

Since the launch of the new generation of mobile telephony at the beginning of December, telecom operators have been deploying with all their might. The Telecoms Authority (Arcep) published this Thursday the first figures on the number of 5G sites open commercially. Free is in the lead with 5,640 sites, followed by Bouygues Telecom (1,500 sites), SFR (793 sites) and Orange (742 sites). That is a total of 8675 active 5G antennas.

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But these data imply a double level of reading. Indeed, several frequency bands can be used in 5G. Among them, the so-called 3.5 Ghz band, which is dedicated solely to the latest generation of mobile telephony. If we only take this one into account, Orange is in the lead with 579 sites, the remaining 115 are in 2100 Mhz.

The incumbent operator says it does not want to make any concessions in terms of quality of service and speed. Its CEO, Stéphane Richard, even fears “disappointing experiences for consumers in certain frequency bands”.

No 5G network sharing between Orange and Free

Free has opened 322 antennas in 3.5 Ghz, the others using the 700 Mhz band, initially intended for 4G. He is the only one to have chosen this option. The first field tests should be completed in the coming weeks. They will make it possible to assess the relevance of each person's technical choices.

That made by Free, which has also chosen to launch “5G at the price of 4G”, could compromise the network agreement envisaged with Orange. Stéphane Richard has radically changed his speech, after having nevertheless called for it. The pooling of its 5G networks with those of Free no longer seems to be on its agenda.

5G: Orange and Free operators could pool their networks

For their part, Bouygues Telecom and SFR have also chosen to use the 3.5 Ghz band and those of 1800 and 2100 Mhz. Bouygues Telecom, experienced in the exercise for having done so during the launch of 4G, has already switched on 1459 antennas in 1800 and 2100 Mhz, against 145 in 3.5 Ghz. At SFR, 641 are in 1800/2100 Mhz and 152 in 3.5 Ghz.

The four operators are continuing to roll out 5G, while walking on eggshells in some cities. Paris is not covered by 5G, but the situation should change quickly.

See also – Cédric O: “5G is beneficial from an environmental point of view”