French 700 MHz Auction Starts

France’s 700 MHz band auction is underway, said the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) in a news release Monday. “The procedure got underway this morning as planned,” ARCEP said. “It was interrupted late morning to allow all of the participants to observe the moment of silence and commemoration held across France today.” ARCEP said bidding reached 451 million euros ($482 million) for each of the six 5 MHz blocks offered in the first round and would continue Tuesday.