French operator Bouygues Telecom is reported to have called on France’s highest court to review the country’s 4G auction process, following concerns about how the issue of interference with television signals will be addressed. According to reports originating from French newspaper Le Figaro, the operator believes it is unclear who will have to pay for measures designed to prevent this problem, and that the responsibility should fall to the French government.

Earlier this month, ARCEP, the French regulator, called for applications for LTE spectrum, including 800MHz frequencies which are believed to be most likely to cause interference with digital terrestrial television services. These licences will be issued early in 2012. UK regulator Ofcom has set out proposals to ensure that digital television and mobile broadband services can co-exist, ahead of an 800MHz auction scheduled for 2012, stating that ““the majority of the costs should be borne by future 800MHz licensees.”