High-speed 4G access to internet

AREAS of France which have no access to high speed internet could benefit from the next generation of high-speed mobile connections which become available at the end of the year.

The new 4G connections, which can produce internet speeds between 10 to 100 times faster than those of current 3G smartphones, are becoming available as France closes down its analogue TV broadcasts. The new frequencies will allow download speeds of 100Mbps to 1Gbps on mobile phones.

Phone operators have been asked to bid for 4G licences and the government has taken the chance to improve internet coverage in shadow zones by creating a wireless priority zone covering the 80% of the country which houses just 18% of the population.

Digital economy minister Eric Besson hopes that by supplying new 4G mobile phone networks he will improve high speed access to the internet in areas which currently lack cable connections or alternatives such as WiMax.