Arcep, the French telecoms regulator, has published its findings of a recent review into 3G network infrastructure sharing in France, and called for the country’s three mobile operators to reach agreement on the matter by year-end. The regulator has outlined solutions covering both passive and active infrastructure sharing. Arcep said that the sharing of passive facilities such as sites, buildings, towers and masts is already widely implemented in France, accounting for 20 percent to 40 percent of current sites. It called for passive sharing to be actively pursued for further 3G rollout due to the environmental benefits.

Meanwhile, Arcep also called for the sharing of base stations, which it said could be achieved by either sharing radio access networks (RANs) in both the 2.1GHz and 900MHz spectrum bands, or via 3G roaming, which will allow operators to share frequencies. It added that operators should also use network equipment that would allow easy upgrade between 2G, 3G and so-called 4G technologies. If the country’s existing 3G operators – France Telecom (Orange), SFR and Bouygues – have not reached an agreement by the end of the year, Arcep said it would set its own conditions. It added that the agreement must also allow for the introduction of France’s long-awaited fourth 3G market entrant on fair terms.