Telecommunications market of FrancePhone Cards, Calling Cards |
| France recorded one of the strongest broadband markets in Europe in 2005, largely on the back of surging demand and pro-competitive action from the regulator. The country had the highest number of broadband subscribers in the EU by mid-year, dominated by DSL lines but with a growing cable footprint. This Paul Budde report overviews France’s fixed and wireless broadband markets in 2005 and early 2006, focussing on cable modem and xDSL as well as developments with related technologies such as FttH, broadband powerline, WiFi, and Internet via satellite. The report also examines the leading providers and looks ahead to technological developments and deployments in 2006. |
| France was slow to take up broadband as a technology, but by early 2005 it had the largest number of broadband subscribers in Europe. With strong DSL and cable competition, the emphasis is less on cheaper access than greater speed, which will be the foundation for the country’s take up of triple play offerings, given the relatively low footprint of fibre networks. The country still has a poor supply of Free-to-Air (FTA) programming in terms of quantity. Although there are four national public broadcast channels and two popular commercial nationwide generalist channels, there are no other significant commercial channels at national or regional levels. Unlike Spain, Italy and Germany, France has failed to create a favourable environment for local television. Significant progress was made in the country’s digital terrestrial TV sector during 2005. This report reviews France’s broadband infrastructure and triple play offerings in 2005, as well as the FTA, DTT, cable and satellite pay TV markets. |
| Austrias France has the third largest telecom market in Europe, after Germany and the UK. A number of new entrants provided competition after market liberalisation was introduced in 1998. However, all telecom sectors in France are still dominated by France Telecom, which has faced censure from both the regulator and EC. SFR remains the only effective integrated alternative operator in the fixed and mobile markets. This report introduces the key aspects of France’s telecom market in 2005 and early 2006, providing the latest statistics on the country’s fixed network, Internet and broadband markets as well as mobile phone services. The report also reviews the national and EU regulatory framework, the status of number portability, carrier preselection and local loop unbundling, and profiles the major operators and the implications for the incumbent’s NeXT strategy for 2006 and beyond. |
| The French mobile phone market was worth almost €20 billion in 2005 and is one of the largest in the EU. Three network operators provide the full range of telephony and data services. France Telecom’s Orange and the Vodafone-Vivendi owned SFR dominate the market, with Bouygues Telecom challenging. Both SFR and Orange launched nationwide commercial 3G services at the end of 2004. This report provides the latest statistics and research on the French mobile market in 2005 and early 2006, including the key regulatory issues, a snapshot of the consumer market and the growth of mobile data services such as SMS, as well as an assessment of the major players. |
| France Phone Cards |