French Telecom Regulator Says 76 Operators Bid For WiMax

PARIS -(Dow Jones)- France's telecommunications regulator Tuesday said 76 operators have indicated they intend to bid for a license to provide wireless Internet services over a WiMax network.

The regulator, known as ARCEP, in a statement said a total of 175 companies and other entities have expressed their interest. ARCEP is auctioning 44 licenses, or two for each region of France.

The licenses for WiMax technology, a powerful wireless connection, will allow telephone companies to offer high-speed Internet services to remote places, given the network can have a range of up to 30 miles.

The companies that have expressed interest have until Jan. 6 to present bids, the regulator said.

-By Brian Lagrotteria, Dow Jones Newswires; +33 (0)1 40 17 17 55; brian.lagrotteria@dowjones.com

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Posted to the site on 18th October 2005