The copper network, which marked the history of telephone and internet, will be deactivated in 11 municipalities in Vaucluse on January 31, 2025.
After more than 50 years of good and loyal service, the copper telecom network will be gradually deactivated, in three phases, until 2030. To start, 162 municipalities, including 11 in Vauclusewill see this telephone and internet access network shut down permanently on January 31, 2025. These are Buisson, Grillon, Rasteau, Richerenches, Roaix, Saint-Roman-de-Malegarde, Séguret, Vaison-la- Romaine, Valréas, Villedieu and Visan.
Telephone and internet: two networks co-exist in Vaucluse
“This historic network first made it possible to provide the French with landline telephones, faxes, telematics with Minitel, then internet (ADSL, SDSL, VDSL) and television », recalls Orange on its website. But a transition to optical fiber is underway.
Because today, two telecom networks co-exist: the copper one and the optical fiber one. But copper will soon no longer be able to meet residents' growing broadband needs. Fiber, in addition to being more efficient, consumes three times less energy than the copper network. The deployment of the latter is therefore prioritized by the government through the France Very High Speed Plan.
Customers oriented towards optical fiber
“All operators will support their customers in this transition to optical fiber or an alternative solution. (…) 2026 will be a pivotal year where no operator will be able to sell its customers a copper network offer, from telephone subscriptions to internet subscriptions. By 2030, copper connections should no longer exist in France », Indicates the operator in charge of network management.
Telephone and internet subscribers, whether they are with Orange or another operator, will all be affected in Vaucluse. Operators will contact their customers to explain the procedures to follow. But it is recommended that customers anticipate this closure by contacting their operator to be supported in this transition.
