
The classification of mobile operators called into question: suspicions of cheating at ARCEP
For thirteen years, Orange has used this study by ARCEP to proclaim itself “Classified best mobile network in France, sometimes ex aequo, for its performance in urban and rural areas”.
Suspicions of cheating for the Arcep ranking
The authority measures the quality of mobile services via 278 performance criteria: coverage, flow and quality of calls from Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Free operators. In 2023, the analysis of more than a million and a half of measures in 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G estimated that in dense zone, “Orange and Bouygues Telecom stand out by offering equivalent performance”. Except that in 2024, the study remained pending. The informed We tell us why.
The deliberation consulted by The informed reveals that Laure de la Raudière, president of Arcep, reports “Marked disparities” In the results, especially in dense and intermediate areas for 5G. Performance differences are unusually important and “Rare questions about the presence of specific technical parameters, equipment or features deployed differently, likely to affect the results of the quality of mobile services”.
The measures were carried out from May to July 2024 by AFD.Tech (Accenture Subsidiary) and reveal abnormal differences in downward flows, especially in agglomerations of more than 200,000 inhabitants and those between 10,000 and 200,000 inhabitants. ARCEP opened an administrative inquiry following these anomalies.
The survey relates particularly to 5G. The goal is to determine whether network equipment integrates “Features allowing the optimization of certain flows or terminals, such as taking into account the type of terminal in the decisions of the Scheduler of network equipment”. In other words: check if the operators could have favored certain phones to maximize performance during tests.
At Orange, the investigation does not concern concern. One of the employees indicates that “The question was asked to the management which confirmed an investigation in progress due to results on the quality of the different networks according to the phones used. But that does not seem to worry them beyond measure”. Another employee indicates: “We were told that it was a matter of time before having the results of this study”.
Contacted by The informedthe four operators and their equipment manufacturers (Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia) refuse any comments. AFD.Tech did not respond to the requests. ARCEP believes that“It is still too early in the analysis work that is done” To express themselves on this subject. The authority promises a new press release on the results of the survey and the possible consequences.