5G Roadmap ahead
Keeping to the 2020 and 2025 objectives of the Europe-wide 5G roadmap, the government has already set up sharing the value generated by 5G, among all parties — telecom operators, businesses and government — on priority.
In early 2018, a pilot was set up to establish the roadmap for 5G and 22 trials using spectrum in the 3.4-3.8GHz range were approved.
In line with plans, the Arcep — an independent agency in charge of regulating telecommunications in France — will allocate 5G frequencies in early 2020 with the auctions being done only with the telecom operators. In 2025, the 5G will cover all the main transport routes.
Course of action
For the government, 5G amounts to its usage, which is to build tomorrow’s industry, and inclusion, which is to help every company, whatever its size.
In addition, the government is also partnering with operators to create a national based FTTH network, which will become the backbone of the future 5G network.
To make 5G a success, the government launched a four priority course of action:
* Release and allocate spectrum, which means to free up 3.5 GHz and the 26 GHz bands and allocate Radio Frequencies
* Develop uses for the technology
* Encourage infrastructure investments
* Ensure roaming and network sharing.
Cybersecurity concerns
The technological changes brought by 5G, combined with growing cybersecurity threats, will also mean that very high levels of security will be established.
The French government is already working on a project to block any manufacturer that can cause such threats. This includes Huawei, and other equipment vendors.
The role of the ANSSI (National Agency for Digital Security) will be reinforced and it will be granted additional budget to support the 5G deployment.
The so called “Huawei Law” which is aimed at tightening security around 5G networks, will ensure the equipments cover the French territory homogeneously and that the government controls how the infrastructure is rolled out.