Since their opening to the public in early 2003, public networks using RLAN technologies, and WiFi in particular, have benefited from an experimental framework separate from the general regime applied to electronic communications operators.
This measure, combined with eased regulatory and technical requirements, encourages experimentation of the technology and the deployment of public RLAN networks. In 2007, over 210 WiFi operators were registered with ARCEP.
The Lignes Directrices relatives à l’expérimentation de réseaux ouverts au public utilisant la technologie RLAN (RLAN technology experimentation guidelines) published in 2002 and modified in 2003, included a review of the experiments with players in order to upgrade the regulatory framework applicable to these networks.
- Review of the development of WiFi in France
So, in the second half of 2006, ARCEP ordered a study from the firm SagaTel to evaluate the maturity of the use of WiFi-RLAN technologies in public networks and to review the offers currently available on the market. This survey provided a technical and economic overview of the experiments conducted since 2003. ARCEP is now making this study public. Interested parties are invited to share their comments.
The study confirmed growing interest on the part of players in the use of high-speed RLAN and the maturity of the technology, whose use has seen considerable growth since the beginning of the experiments. This growth can be explained by the involvement of operators and industrialists, by the attraction of users to this high-speed connection medium and by a series of technical and regulatory developments (opening of a new frequency band, easing of geographic restrictions).
At end 2006, the market is structured in three segments:
- private RLAN uses in the home or business, which were excluded from the scope of the study
- an Internet access market from "hot spots"
- a rural market, where WiFi technology is generally used to complement other access technologies and has been proposed by both local operators and municipalities since 2004
The emergence of new players, specialising progressively in paid services for specialised targets (university residences, shops, leisure infrastructures, ports, rural service, etc.), participates in the dynamism and wealth of the RLAN market in France, just as the diffusion of the WiFi technology does in the high-speed ADSL access offer.
Thus, public RLAN and WiFi technology have reached a sufficient degree of maturity that the experimental character which has been applied since late 2002 can be ended.
- The raising of the experimental character
The experimental character which allowed the public RLAN networks to enjoy a lightened regime suited to this new technology, resulting from corporate networks, for local external coverage projects. This derogation regime, which was justified during the experimentation period of public networks using the RLAN technology, is no longer relevant.
ARCEP is announcing the raising of the experimental character of these networks based on the analysis of the WiFi market in France and in accordance with decision no.°07-0408 dated 26 April 2007 putting an end to the experimental regime of public networks using the RLAN technology.
The switch to a long-lasting framework subjects WiFi operators to the respect of obligations, applicable to any electronic communications operator in accordance with articles D.98 et seq. of the CPCE.
ARCEP reminds readers than operators with annual sales of less than €1 million are exempt from the administrative tax, which helps to increase the dynamism and diversity of new local public network RLAN projects.
- Review of technical conditions of use of "WiFi" frequencies
ARCEP also reminds readers that the use of RLAN technologies in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands is free but subject to the strict respect of power limitations, expressed in EIRP (effective isotropic radiated power), which is reviewed in the attached appendix. These limitations are established at the European level, and their purpose is to technically protect the coexistence of applications by reducing the risk of interference.
ARCEP highlights that the opening of a new frequency band (5470-5725 MHz) for public RLAN applications in February 2006, with never-before-seen power levels on free usage bands (1 W), offers a new tool to players wishing to propose new collection solutions of high-speed local loop networks.
The entire technical and regulatory measure governing RLAN is now in place to allow the long-lasting development of the technology while taking into account the specific nature of this high-speed access radio market.
Source: ARCEP, France