France Preps for 700-MHz Spectrum Auction

France is about to hold a spectrum auction for 700-MHz mobile spectrum, expecting to raise 2.5 billion euros ($2.78 billion) sellings rights to use six blocks of 2x5MHz spectrum, Reuters reports.

According to auction rules, no single company can acquire more than three blocks of spectrum, in total.

Also, no mobile operator will be allowed to amass a total amount of lower-band spectrum greater than 2x30MHz across the 700MHz, 800MHz and 900MHz bands combined. So current spectrum holdings will affect bid strategy.