top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Senate votes for broadband for all

A bill going through parliament would help make sure people in rural areas get access to fast internet speeds

A LAW aiming to make sure everyone has access to broadband has been passed by the Senate.

Its measures would mainly benefit people living away from densely populated urban areas.

The bill has been put forward by a centrist senator, Hervé Maurey, and a UMP Party one, Philippe Leroy – however it is contested by most of Mr Leroy’s colleagues on the right, and is also unpopular with telecoms companies.

It aims to create new regulations for the deployment of broadband, superfast fibre-optic broadband and also 3G mobile telephony. One measure obliges companies to supply all internet customers with access to 2mbps internet (a moderate broadband speed) by December 31, 2013 and 8mbps by December 31, 2015. It would also create a legal “right” to broadband.

This has been criticised by the French Telecoms Federation as “unreaslistic by the dates envisaged”.

The bill also aims at forcing companies make contractual engagements on the supply of superfast broadband to more rural areas.

At the moment they merely have to make a declaration of their intentions.

Mr Maurey said: “We want to review the model of the national programme of superfast broadband deployment because it rests only on the goodwill of the operators.

“As their declarations have no legal value there are no sanctions in the case of them not respecting them.”

The requirement to sign binding contracts would force them to meet the wishes of local councils, notably in terms of coverage of the most rural areas, Mr Maury said.

France Télécom has said the measures are “counterproductive, if not to say dangerous”. The bill is too “rigid”, the company said.

Industry Minister Eric Besson, who opposes the bill, said: “You can’t build the digital economy in opposition to the operators.”

The text has yet to go to the National Assembly and may not be adopted due to a tight parliamentary calendar.

Photo: si.re-flex - Fotolia.com

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France