User's Guide Part 5

band. This series of measures answers many of the concerns expressed during Art's public consultation on this topic.
Decisions allowing the installation of wireless terminals in hot spots (train stations, airports, business centers, and the like): In
agreement with the Ministry of Defense, ART has made two decisions setting the conditions for using wireless LANs in the 2.4-
GHz band. One of these decisions has been submitted to the Minister of Telecommunications for approval. These decisions will
allow the installation of WLAN access points to provide public services in high-traffic public places. This will allow service providers
and licensed operators to install access points using 2.4 GHz band technologies without authorization, under the following
technical conditions:
1. In 38 départements (see Metropolitan Départements for listing):
● The 2400–2454 MHz band can be used both indoors and outdoors using systems (access points and devices) with less
than 300 milliwatts (mW) of power.
● The 2454–2483.5 MHz band can be used indoors using devices with less than 100 mW of power and can be used
outdoors using devices with less than 10 mW of power. When the devices are being used outdoors on private property,
the power may be increased to 100 mW after approval from the Ministry of Defense.
2. For the time being, in all other metropolitan départements, the conditions remain unchanged. The list of the first 38
départements will be progressively added to after 1 January 2003.
3. For the overseas départements (DOM), as well as Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Mayotte, the entire 2400–2483.5 MHz
band may be used indoors and outdoors using devices with less than 100 mW of power, except for the Reunion Islands
and Guyana, where the 2420–2483.5 MHz band may be used only outdoors using devices with less than 100 mW of
power. ART reminds operators that these frequencies are used with no guarantee of nondisruption, and that the
installations must respect all measures applying to radio installations (such as urban planning regulations). These
decisions also allow the development of private uses. In particular, private networks (such as indoor corporate networks)
can be established using these technologies.
These conditions are tabulated below in Table of Authorized EIRP.
Guidelines for Public WLAN Experimentation
● Networks using WLAN technology will be granted a free authorization for up to 18 months under article L.33-1 of the Post
and Telecommunications Code. These networks may use systems with 100 mW of power (effective isotropic radiated
power (EIRP)) on the entire band, indoors and outdoors. Moreover, in the 2.4 GHz band (and providing this power limit is
respected), fixed point-to-point links can be established for these networks needs, or frequencies can be requested in
other ad hoc bands.
● Private and public persons may submit applications to ART, provided that legislation and regulations allow them to do so.
● Applications will be processed in a simplified way, in the spirit of the new "Authorization" Directive.
● ART will send completed applications to the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry will then check that the projects are not
located near any sensitive area and that they are not likely to cause disruptions to military equipment. For each
application, ART will then submit its report and the draft authorization to the Minister of Telecommunications.
● Applications can be sent from 12 November 2002 so that the first experiments may be launched as soon as early 2003.
Full reviews are to be sent to ART at the end of the temporary authorizations to determine whether the technology
guarantees quality and security to users.
Metropolitan Departments
The table below lists the 38 metropolitan départements that permit the use of WLAN systems using less than 100 mW of power
(EIRP) indoors across the entire 2400–2483.5 MHz band and outdoors on the 2400–2454 MHz band:
01 Ain Orientales 36 Indre 66 Pyrénées
02 Aisne 37 Indre et Loire 67 Bas Rhin
03 Allier 41 Loir et Cher 68 Haut Rhin