The fight between Free Mobile and Orange continues over true and false 5G. The operators have the opposite strategy regarding 5G deployment in France: the first is converting the 700 MHz antennas that were used for 4G into 5G, and the second puts everything on the 3.5GHz network. A strategy that raises problems related to the phone, which could boast of the largest 5G coverage in France: More than 7,000 commercial sites opened in February, versus 1,000 for Orange, according to the Arcep Observatory.
But now, 5G at 700MHz is not quite the same 5G as at 3.5GHz, especially in terms of speed. ” Not all 5G networks are created equal , Argues Orange in its Telecommunications-Video support (above). ” Only thanks to this frequency is 5G keeping its promises “, Continues the current operator. This argument has a knack for making Free Mobile’s nerve.
At the end of March, Thomas Raynaud, president of Iliad (the operator’s parent company), pitted his rivals accused of being “bad players” in the race to spread 5G. The battle of words continues with this intervention in the form of a tweet:
.Embed a Tweet In 2014 at 5G 700Mhz: “It is these truly golden frequencies that guarantee the best connection everywhere.”
In 2021: Okay with that, but we’re also adding 3.5GHz frequencies. This is how we build the largest 5G network in France 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Sev4oSKDWB
– free free) April 8, 2021
Free Mobile released a statement from Stephan Richard, CEO of Orange, dating back to 2014. He was asked about France infoThen he explained his interest in the 700 MHz band, 4G frequencies and close to the 5G network, we call it golden frequencies, they can penetrate deep buildings, in parking lots, in elevators and allow connection to be brought everywhere, for everyone. Not so bad after all, 700MHz 5G … double standards in a manager’s speech?
What the President of Orange describes in this excerpt is above all the advantages of the 700MHz frequency for the 4G, and for good reason: In 2014 5G was not present, or only in test form (the operator received the green light from Arcep the following year to try this technology in Belfort). We’re not saying the chosen sequence is dishonest, but Free Mobile is really looking for the little monster … but it’s fair game after all.
Free Mobile will undoubtedly benefit from further boosting its 3.5 GHz network: in this frequency band, the operator had 562 commercial open locations in February, as opposed to 808 for Orange. This puts Free in second place, ahead of Bouygues Telecom and SFR.
