Arcep has given Orange and XpFibre (formerly SFR FTTH) formal notice to respect their commitments on the deployment and completeness of optical fiber. A subject which is nothing new since Orange had already been notified four times and XpFibre twice.
A few days ago, Arcep published its observatory of the high and very high speed fixed line market. We learned about the formal notice from Orange and XpFibre, but also data on the deployment of fiber. Here are some numbers before we take action.
First observation: “ the rate of growth in the number of optical fiber subscriptions (+810,000) exceeds that of deployments (+680,000 premises) ». Second constat : « 87% of premises in the national territory can be connected to fiber [soit 38,7 millions, ndlr] and around 5.5 million premises remain to be connected “. If we talk about “ very high speed on wired networkss” (and therefore not only in FTTH), the coverage percentage rises to 91%.
Here is the breakdown according to the zones:
- Less dense areas RIP (Public Initiative Networks): 460,000 more premises, 3.1 million remain to be made connectable
- Less dense areas of private initiative: 140,000 more premises, 1.6 million remain to be made connectable
- AMEL zones (calls for demonstration of local commitments): 40,000 more premises, 0.3 million remain to be made connectable
- Dense areas: 40,000 more premises, 0.5 million remain to be connected
What is completeness?
In its press release, Arcep bangs its fist on the table for the umpteenth time on the subject of “completeness”. As a reminder, this is a regulatory framework which “ provides for an obligation to complete deployments of end-to-end fiber optic networks, at the local scale of the rear concentration point area, and within a reasonable time frame of no more than two to five years depending on local characteristics “. It concerns all areas, except the 106 densest municipalities.
For Arcep, “ completeness is achieved when all of the premises are connectable or, in a small proportion, “connectable on request”, unless this is duly justified (for example, in the case of refusal by the co-owners or owners concerned) “. This is an important step to avoid leaving certain homes in an area on the side of the road, especially when the connections are a little more complicated to set up.
Completeness is all the more essential as optical fiber will replace copper. Orange has already started to stop it in certain areas.
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