MuniWireless

Next week, users in France will have a chance to sign up for a “quadruple play” package: high-speed Internet access, TV with up to 90 channels, unlimited fixed telephony and a mobile phone service for a stunningly low price of €45 ($60) from Bouygues Telecom. This is the first quadruple play offer in France.

Many observers had expected Iliad-Free to be the first operator in France to propose this kind of offer, but a series of delays in the allocation of…

Last week as the French National Assembly debated the allocation of wireless spectrum to expand the mobile telephony market, Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for industry and consumers told legislators that the entry of a fourth cellular operator will boost the mobile market in France. The debate has been roiling the French telecom industry ever since ARCEP argued that it was better to allocate frequency to a fourth cellular operator in order to further competition and push the existing three…

It did not take long for Orange’s competitors to take advantage of a recent decision to ban iPhone exclusivity in France. Several multibrand distribution channels have already announced bargain-basement prices for an unlocked 3G iPhone.

Just before New Year, The Phone House in France began offering the iPhone 3G (8MB) for 19 euros ($26). The iPhone is brand new and not refurbished. The cheapest iPhone of this promotion comes with a 2-year contract with Bouygues Telecom at 34 euros a month…

With the prospect of two new appointees to ARCEP (the French regulator) to replace Paul Champsaur and Gabrielle Gauthey, both of whom were instrumental in bringing more competition into the French telecommunications market, a war of words has erupted between ARCEP and the French operators, notably, France Telecom.

During the tenure of Paul Champsaur, who has been president of ARCEP for the last six years and is retiring at the end of the year, France has seen a significant increase in…

Orange will lose its exclusive deal with Apple to sell the iPhone through Orange beginning this Christmas season pursuant to a decision by the French Competition Council. Orange may wholesale the iPhone, on a non-exclusive way to multi-brand resellers (for example, Darty) but it must ensure that the iPhone works the same way on any existing mobile network in France. Therefore Orange may continue to sell a SIM-locked iPhone tying it to the Orange network in its own distribution channel.…

The Conseil de la Concurrence (the French competition court) has ordered Apple to terminate its exclusive deal with Orange France and to offer the iPhone through other operators. The court seems to have expedited its decision based on the complaint filed by rival operator, Bouygues Telecom, just in time for the holiday season when many people are buying electronic gadgets. This means Bouygues Telecom and SFR can begin offering the iPhone to customers. The court’s decision is a blow to…