France - Fixed Network - Data and Internet Markets

Synopsis

Archived report: this report was archived on 20 June 2005 and has not been updated. France has been slower than comparable European states to turn to the Internet. Partly this has been due to the existence of alternative communications and information systems, such as the indigenous Minitel system. Internet penetration in France lags behind Germany and the UK, as well as most of the smaller more developed nations of the EU. The French market has returned to prominence with the coming of broadband technologies; France is second only to Germany in terms of broadband connections. ADSL is the main means of connection, although cable has strong regional presence. The former incumbent, France Telecom, is still dominant in the market – to an extent that has attracted the attention of the European Commission. This report presents a historical snapshot of France’s Data and Internet markets in 2005, together with a profile of major ISPs.