The ANFR manages the frequencies for professional networks and temporary uses in accordance with the provisions of article R20-44-11 (11°) of the French Postal and Electronic Communications Code. This activity is carried out under an agreement with the French Electronic Communications and Postal regulation authority (ARCEP).
This covers:
- The management of frequencies used by professional mobile networks, known as PMR (Professional Mobile Radio). When a new application is made, once the administrative and technical aspects have been processed, each file is sent to the ARCEP to be assigned a Frequency Use Authorisation (AUF), which is usually issued for a period of 5 years (to 31 December of the year). The Agency is then in charge of monitoring the authorisation when the holder applies for a modification or even a cancellation.
- The management of temporary frequency uses for less than two months, such as those used for mobile video links during sporting or cultural events, or for temporary mobile projects, etc.
- More broadly, the management of all frequencies in the bands below 470 MHz, including links to isolated subscribers and the radiodetermination service.
PMR networks differ from "conventional" public mobile networks (2nd, 3rd or 4th generation), which operate in specific frequency bands reserved for that purpose and are managed directly by the ARCEP.
More specifically, these PMR activities include:
- Identifying the frequencies needed to meet the requests and defining the associated technical conditions of use.
- The necessary national coordination actions with other assigning authorities and international coordination if necessary.
- Obtaining the agreement for the setting up of stations or their declaration and registering the assignments of frequencies in the notarial databases held by the ANFR and the ITU.
- Preparing frequency use authorisations for assignment by decision of the ARCEP.
- Notification to authorisation holders of the conditions for renewal or reasons for refusal to renew their authorisations.
- The management of PMR network frequency migrations following ARCEP's decision to transfer certain frequency sub-bands to other uses or other assigning authorities.
- Preparing the data required for invoicing fees for the use of frequencies for which the chairman of the ARCEP is the authorising officer. This includes PMR network frequencies < 470 MHz that have been assigned, experimental PMR frequencies and all frequencies > 470 MHz.
- Informing frequency users and the industrials concerned of the conditions in which frequencies are used.
- The ANFR also manages the assigned authorisations and participates in informing frequency users and the industrials concerned of the conditions in which the frequencies are to be used.
Regarding billing for PMR networks, the ANFR's Director General is in charge of authorising fees relating to authorisations to use assigned frequencies below 470 MHz, in accordance with the provisions of article 15 of French decree no. 2007-1532 as amended (assigned frequencies < 470 MHz).
Fees for the use of frequencies are made up of a management fee and a frequency availability fee. The ANFR prepares the necessary data and calculates the amounts to be invoiced. The ANFR handles requests for information and any complaints relating to billing.
Fees for frequency management and use are calculated in accordance with the regulatory provisions set out in French decree no. 2007-1531 and decree no. 2007-1532 of 24 October 2007, as amended. The collection invoices resulting from the fee calculation process are sent by the CHORUS system to the Treasury (DGFiP), which handles and collects the payments via The Special Debt Collection department (DCST) in Châtellerault. The collected amounts are paid into the State's general budget.
Annual fees for the current year are payable before 15 April, or on the date the frequency is made available in the case of a new assignment. Fees for the use of radio frequencies are calculated on a pro rata temporis basis according to the number of days for a minimum threshold of €15 or, in the case of frequencies used on a temporary basis, for a minimum billing threshold of €100.
Following the roll-out of CHORUS and in agreement with the DCST, invoicing for the current year is carried out at the beginning of February, followed by numerous additional invoices during the year, particularly for frequencies used on a temporary basis or for new authorisations or renewals during the year.