Cheap internet scheme delayed

PRIME Minister François Fillon said early in 2010 he was in talks with ISPs to organise a tariff of no more than €20 a month for landline, broadband and digital TV for less well-off homes, with a possible launch in six months.

However following a recent meeting with ISPs, the tariff has been put on the back-burner.

It requires both a law to be voted and the agreement of Brussels, and is not now expected this year.

A similar scheme, for government-approved low-cost mobile phone offers, is said to be further
advanced. The aim is to offer at least 30 minutes of calls and 30 texts for €10/month.