Orange opposed Arcep regarding its obligation to cover moderately dense areas with fiber optics. The company has lost its appeal to the Council of State and is forced to deploy an FTTH network in areas that are not very profitable for it.
Orange has long been singled out by Arcep for its failure to fulfill its commitment to deploy fiber in medium-sized towns. While the former France Telecom announced in 2011 its intention to deploy an FTTH network to the subscriber in these low-density areas, it is clear that the mission has not been fulfilled. While in 2018, the incumbent operator committed to ensure fiber optic coverage of nearly 3,000 medium-density municipalities before the end of 2020, in 2023, thousands of users are still waiting for said connection.
Orange missed the first deadline provided for in its commitments, 12 million French people still do not have access to real very high speed. When Arcep gave it formal notice “to ensure, no later than September 30, 2022, that 100% of housing […] municipalities concerned by its commitments” are covered, the company has decided to fight back rather than cooperate. She not only has challenged the Telecom Controller’s decisionbut she also refuse authority.
The Council of State dismisses Orange, the company is obliged to deploy fiber in moderately dense areas
To avoid its obligations, the company requested the intervention of the Constitutional Council by invoking article 16 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. A process that failed. On its website, Arcep announces that “by its decision of April 21, 2023, the Council of State decides not to transmit the priority question of constitutionality to the Constitutional Council. It also rejects Orange’s appeal against Arcep’s decision, giving Orange formal notice to respect its commitments to deploy fiber in moderately dense areas”.
To read – Orange: new price increase for Livebox fiber subscriptions
This ad is a good news for subscribers residing in moderately dense areas. It is certainly bad for the company, for whom the cover represents a substantial investment without any promise of interesting financial fallout.
Source : Le Figaro
