France’s mobile operators are to spend more than €3bn (£2.7bn) to roll out a 4G network with no coverage gaps by 2020. According to Reuters, each of the country’s major operators will install 5,000 masts and antennas and jointly ensure network coverage along 30,000 km of rail tracks. The move will bring 4G coverage to more than 10,000 towns and villages currently served by either 2G or 3G networks. No money will be provided by the Government toward the infrastructure improvements.

The move was revealed by Julien Denormandie, junior minister for territorial cohesion, in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche. The finance ministry later confirmed these details.

In the interview, Denormandie said that Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Iliad’s Free Mobile network had all under-invested in France’s mobile network over the past 15 years.

I want to put an end to ‘The network’s bad, I’ll call you back’,” Denormandie said. He added that in return for the increased investment, the government would extend the telecoms companies’ spectrum licences instead of holding a new auction. The most recent spectrum auction, held in 2015, raised €2.8bn.