The ARCEP (Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority) has just allocated 5G frequencies to b<>com in Rennes and Lannion in addition to its 4G frequencies.
Recognized as a genuine test operator on equal footing with Orange or Bouygues Telecom, b<>com will be able to continue its technical experiments in the 3.4-3.6 GHz band while addressing certain features of 5G:
- mobile broadband: The main goal of earlier generations, which is to be improved with a new air interface known as "5G NR" (NR for "New Radio")
- the Internet of Things: One of 5G's new goals
- critical communications (with new "sliced" software architectures)
b<>com has been a mobile test operator since May 2016, and has at its Cesson-Sévigné campus an antenna system and software radio base station that enable its Networks & Security teams to conduct 5G research and experiments.
"Thanks to the combination of b<>com's investments, the software and hardware modules resulting from its research & innovation projects, and these permits, the excellence of France's digital sector will be able to face the reality of field deployments." cheered Michel Corriou, Director of Networks & Security at b<>com.
Besides internal projects, this experiment ground is also expected to be used in Rennes and Lannion by the IRT's members, like Orange, Nokia, TDF, and Enensys. This frequency renewal is also a major asset in b<>com's contribution to the European H2020 5G-PPP program.
