Switching to Very High Speed: Is your company eligible for fiber optics?

By 2023, Orange’s copper network, used for landline telephones, the Internet (ADSL, SDSL, VDSL) and television, will be phased out.

This follows the government’s prioritization of fiber deployment, via the Plan France Very High Speed and accelerating fiber-optic adoption across the country.

How do I verify your fiber eligibility?

To verify your eligibility for fiber optics, you can enter your address on the dedicated page Arcep (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications, Posts and Press Distribution).

If you are eligible, you can find out about subscriptions and contact the operator of your choice.

If your current subscription is limited to the telephone only, you will be able to subscribe to the same type of offer once you have switched to fiber, this is a commitment of the operators.

What types of offers are available for your company?

Several types of offers exist for companies wishing to benefit from fiber optics:

• the consumer offerings : for small companies, these offers FttH (Fiber to the Home) offers a theoretical download rate of up to 100Mbps;
• the company offers : intended for the greatest number of companies, these offers FttE (Fiber to the Company) offer guaranteed recovery times in the event of a problem on the line and high speeds for downloading and data transfer;
• the dedicated offerings : For companies with very large or more specific numerical needs, these offers FttO (Fiber to the Office) offer special services, i.e. very high security, guaranteed speeds, guaranteed recovery time and a direct line to the operator's collection network.

What are the benefits of optical fiber?

Optical fiber allows companies to benefit from very high bandwidth and therefore a better connection.

Thus, it has many advantages for company communication and productivity:

• fluid communications at meetings (optimal image and sound quality);
• fast loading files, pages, or videos
• high weathering and water;
• using online solutions (cloud services or Saas solutions).

Why is it the end of the copper network?

The telephone and internet network has been based for 50 years on so-called “copper” technology that arrives in your business premises via a T-shaped socket. The copper network provides access to the DSL Internet (Digital Subscriber Line, digital access line), making telephone calls or connecting certain devices such as remote alarms or remote assistance.

Orange, the owner of the copper network, will gradually close it on the whole territory by 2030. Indeed, the copper network is aging and is experiencing quality of service problems in its last years.

The government’s aim is to modernize the fixed telephone and internet infrastructure. This gradual closure will involve the State services, all operators and local and regional authorities.

The optical fiber, which consumes four times less energy than copper, is progressively settled because it is more resilient and efficient.

Who is affected by the end of fixed telephony and DSL Internet services?

Even if Orange is not your supplier, all subscribers to an ADSL service (Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line, asymmetrical digital link) or telephone via the T socket is concerned.

Thus:

• if you are using a fixed telephony and/or Internet ADSL service connected via a T-socket, you are concerned because this connection corresponds to an arrival of the copper network in your home;
• if you have a fiber subscription, that is, if your box is connected to a white box (without T socket) and your invoice mentions fiber optic, then you are not affected.

If your municipality is affected by the commercial and technical closure of the copper network, your operator will contact you before the closure date in order to offer you the most relevant replacement offer.

To keep your phone and internet access, you will need to switch to a fiber subscription, or any other technology, with the carrier of your choice. He is important to anticipate transition to avoid precipitation as the closure approaches: operators will be under heavy pressure and your connection will take longer given the large number of installations in company.

What are the next steps?

We're dealing with a transition phase (2023-2025) with a first batch of closures then will come a industrial phase (2026-2030) which will include the commercial closure of all entrances by the end of 2025 and the technical closure of all access by 2030.

How to find out about the closure of the copper network and the switch to Very High Speed?

In order to inform companies (and individuals) about the transition to Very High Speed, the Treshautdebit.gouv.fr has been set up. This includes an FAQ to guide companies in their transition to ultra-high-speed broadband.

Orange’s closure plan is overseen by the telecommunications regulator, Arcep. It offers a Frequently Asked Questions.

You can also view the items available to you by the French Telecom Federation.