The telecoms operator Orange confirmed Thursday the "divergence in deployment strategy" with the operator Free Mobile, announcing that it had ended discussions on a 5G mobile network sharing agreement.

Negotiations were being carried out between the two operators following the auction and the allocation of 5G frequencies.

There will be no sharing of the 5G network between Orange and Free Mobile.

The telecoms operator Orange announced Thursday that it had ended discussions with its competitor Free on a 5G mobile network sharing agreement.

"At the end of the 5G auctions which took place last October, Orange and Free have engaged in discussions with a view to sharing the mobile network," said Orange in a press release Thursday evening.

"Noting a divergence in deployment strategy, Orange has decided to end the discussions," the statement continued, without further clarification.

3,000 pylons by 2022

After having paid some 2.8 billion euros to the state to seize "blocks" auctioned in early October, operators can enjoy their 5G frequencies since November 18.

In the name of "digital regional development", SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom and Orange will have to respect a set of obligations set by the telecoms regulator (Arcep) in the deployment of their 5G antennas.

Each operator will have to install 3,000 new pylons by 2022, then reach 8,000 in 2024 and finally 10,500 in 2025.

While 5G promises to ultimately offer up to 10 times faster speed, operators are counting above all on its launch to manage the increase in traffic and avoid saturation of their mobile networks.