This is kinda expected as Iliad was the only bidder for 4th French 3G license. The company, which owns a major ISP in French Republic – Free, said their mobile inspection and repair is coming within 2 years. Moreover, they said share-out of network base is planed with competitor operators where possible.
Commenting on the announcement, Iliad issued a financial statement: “Iliad is pleased with this conclusion. The assignation of the licence volition enable the Group to extend to mobile communication the technological and pricing creation dynamics that turned it into a loss leader for land line telecommunications. The introduction of a fourth network wheeler dealer will facilitate the egression of profitable MVNOs and ease mobile multimedia usance take-off, for the welfare of consumers… By becoming a major mobile multimedia system player, in plus to its landline operator activities (ADSL and FTTH), Iliad is now in a place, like its briny competitors, to become a major subscriber to convergence.”
As a monitor, earlier rumors suggested that some other companies — including the cable wheeler dealer Numericable, Virgo the Virgin Mobile River and Egyptian Empire’s Orascom — had considered bid for the license, but pulled out with concerns over the price and delays of construction a national mobile network.
[Via: GSMA]