Virgin Mobile interested in French 3G license?

Virgin Mobile is in the midst of talks with various potential partners such as cable operator Numericable, and has yet to decide whether it will bid for the French 3G mobile phone license.

Last month, the head of French telecoms regulator ARCEP said he expected the fourth 3G mobile phone license to be awarded in January of next year and at least two candidates would probably be in the running. The suggested price tag is set at 240 million euros, up from the 206 million announced by the government in February.

Virgin Mobile’s Philippe Maugest thinks the price is “relevant and fair,” and said they [Virgin Mobile] will take a decision on whether to bid for the license “once the tender is launched.”

Aside from Virgin Mobile, France’s number 2 broadband operator, Iliad, is also expected to compete for the license.

France’s current trio of operators include Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, all which paid 619 million euros in 2001 and 2002 for their 3G frequencies.

[Via: Reuters]

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