Summary of broadband development in France
France commits to covering its entire territory with high-speed broadband (30 Mbps) by 2022. Furthermore, the National Broadband Plan, France Très Haut Débit, foresees extending optical fibre to subscribers throughout the country by 2025.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- A key actor in the state level broadband development is the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery (Ministère de l'Économie, des Finances et de la Relance).
- The National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (l'Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires) is responsible for implementing France’s broadband strategy. The agency operates a task force in charge of the national broadband plan (France Très Haut Débit).
- The French Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post (Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes, arcep) is the main body responsible for regulatory measures concerning the expansion of France’s broadband networks.
- The General Commission for Territorial Equality (Commissariat Général à l’Egalité des Territoires) acts as national Broadband Competence Office.
Main aims for broadband development
The French broadband target defined by the France Très Haut Débit is to guarantee broadband (at least 8 Mbps) for all citizens by 2020 and, achieve 100% coverage with 30 Mbps by 2022 and extend fibre to subscribers throughout the country by 2025. France’s broadband targets exceed the DAE, albeit with a longer time frame. France predominantly opts for establishing and widening its broadband network infrastructure through FTTH technology. arcep leads the development of 5G network in France.
Main measures for broadband development
Broadband mapping: Created in November 2011, the Digital Observatory collects and interprets data to assess the impact of digital technologies in the economy and to compare France with other countries of the European Union.
Other measures: The French Government published a convention agreement on the modalities of FTTH deployment, Modèle de Convention de programmation et de suivi des déploiements FttH 2013 as well as specifications for network development project applications in its broadband strategy (France Très Haut Débit).
National and regional broadband financial instruments
French officials expect that the national strategy will require mobilisation of private and public investments of up to EUR 20 billion. The Fund for the Digital Society (Fonds pour la société numerique) provides a combination of public loans and funding to support the roll-out of ultrafast broadband by the French government. Infrastructure projects that are eligible include works on backhaul networks (FTTN), passive fibre optic networks (FTTH), customer access (FTTH), access for public institutions (education, health, public administration), support for Wi-Max and/or satellite receivers as well as feasibility studies for planned roll-out projects.
Data on broadband development and technologies in France
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetration, coverage of different broadband technologies and costs, check the scoreboard reports and the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
Publications and press documents
English
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU-28
- Guide to High-Speed Broadband Investment
- France - country reports on performances in digitisation: connectivity, digital skills, digital public services and more
- Mobile and fixed broadband prices in Europe at the end of 2019
- Study on broadband coverage in Europe 2019
French
- National Broadband Plan “France Très Haut Débit”
- Modèle de Convention de programmation et de suivi des déploiements FttH (pdf)
Contact information
BCO France (national Broadband Competence Office): Commissariat Général à l’Egalité des Territoires
Address: 20 avenue de Ségur, 75007 Paris, France
Contact via email
Phone: + 33 1 85 58 62 69
Website
Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery (Ministère de l'Économie, des Finances et de la Relance)
Address: 139 rue de Bercy, 75572 Paris, France
Contact via email
Phone: +33 1 40 04 04 04
Website
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes)
Address: 7 square Max Hymans, 75730 Paris, France
Contact via email
Phone: + 33 1 40 47 70 00
Website
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Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
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