The kickoff was given in Paris. Telecom operators will commission their 5G networks in the capital this Friday. In total, SFR, Orange, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile will each activate 80 antennas.
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Operators have been authorized to deploy this technology since November 18. SFR activated its ultra-high speed network in Nice two days later. The commune of Alpes-Maritimes was thus the first city in France to benefit from wide mobile coverage. According to Arcep, the telecoms regulator, nearly 10,000 5G sites had been commercially opened on January 31.
Already launched in most major cities
5G has since been implemented in most cities of more than 150,000 inhabitants. It is already active in Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Montpellier, Reims, Angers, Strasbourg, Dijon, Le Havre and Toulouse.
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In some municipalities, such as Nice, Marseille, Montpellier and Toulouse, the deployment was carried out smoothly. “5G […] will strengthen the attractiveness of our territory “, rejoiced in mid-December the vice-president of Toulouse Métropole in charge of the digital transition.
Lille, Nantes and Rennes are resisting
In other cities, however, the launch of 5G was carried out under pressure and despite local opposition. In Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux, the recalcitrant ecological or left-wing mayors had to give in. The municipality of Bordeaux, headed by Pierre Hurmic (EELV), even said it was “sorry” for the opening of local 5G in early February.
As for Lille, Nantes and Rennes, they are currently resisting. In the capital of Flanders, a moratorium has been adopted pending the publication of a report from the National Health Security Agency (Anses). The latter concerns the possible consequences of the deployment of 5G on the environment and health and should be delivered in the spring.
Mayors have no say
In the West, it is time for consultation. In Rennes, a study mission is due to present its recommendations on March 29. In Nantes, a public debate is underway.
The operators have so far agreed to wait for the conclusions reached by these three cities before putting their networks into service. “The Council of State was clear: it is not up to the mayors, but to the State to decide”, however recalled the Secretary of State for digital at the end of November.
Political soap opera in Paris
In Paris too, the deployment of 5G gave rise to a long political soap opera. Anxious to avoid controversy, the operators had initiated a consultation in the capital. This resulted in a “charter”, which was validated by the city council in early March following a citizens’ conference organized by the town hall at the end of December.
The towns of Ile-de-France in the inner suburbs already benefit from the coverage of the latest generation of mobile networks. Website My Mobile Network also offers a map of 5G coverage throughout France.
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