France Telecom bullish after 4G auction cap

France’s leading telecoms group has avowed its determination to remain the top operator after the government capped the amount of 4G wireless frequencies a single company can buy when they are auctioned at the end of the month.

“Our target is to be the leader in France for broadband networks, both fixed and mobile,” Stephane Richard, chairman and chief executive of France Telecom, said. While the conditions of the auction are “very complicated” the French group “will definitely apply to buy more spectrum,” he said. The importance of securing access to frequencies which allow high-speed mobile Internet services is underscored by the growing popularity of wireless handheld devices such as smartphones. However, France’s incumbent operator faced a blow when Eric Besson, industry minister, announced the limit on bids earlier this month.