Iliad CEO, Thomas Reynaud, has today said that France’s 5G frequencies spectrum auction is ‘likely’ to be postponed, due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to source, Reuters.
When asked by reporters about a possible rescheduling, Reynaud said: “We’ve taken into account a likely postponement of the tender.”
France’s telecoms authority, Arcep, said the 5G spectrum auction would take place in April.
Second delay
Two sources close to the matter told Reuters that the 5G frequencies spectrum auction had already been delayed because of disagreements between France’s finance ministry and the telecoms authority about both the spectrum to be auctioned and the minimum price for the 5G frequency blocs.
Iliad & coronavirus
Iliad also published a financial statement today, which showed group sales increased by 9% to €5.33 billion in 2019 and the 4th quarter saw the French telco’s first subscriber growth in two years with the addition of 17,000 net subscribers.
“to allow our country, in these times of crisis, to continue to function”
Iliad CEO, Thomas Reynaud
In the statement, Reynaud acknowledged the coronavirus epidemic and said it was the company’s priority to preserve the health of its 11,000 employees.
“We are also fully aware of our operator responsibility: to allow our country, in these times of crisis, to continue to function. Our 20 million subscribers in France and our 5 million subscribers in Italy must be able to continue to learn, exchange with their loved ones and exercise their professional activities,” he said.
