Accessing ADSL internet and making old-fashioned phone calls is no longer possible in most of Occitanie, southern France, as the old copper network is phased out in favour of fibre optic connections.
Communications operator Orange, which is masterminding the nationwide switchover for all connections, not only for those signed up with Orange, started the latest phase of its plan on January 27. This latest phase focuses on closing the copper network in 763 communes, across 14 regions, including in Occitanie.
According to the current schedule, the entire copper network should be shut down in France by 2030. It was originally installed in the 1970s by France Télécom, and uses copper wires to connect each user to the nearest telephone switchboard hub.
Under the new system, users will be connected via fibre optic lines, satellite, or 4G/5G coverage. These modern technologies are considered far better-equipped than the copper wires to cope with demands such as video streaming, working from home, cloud computing, and smart objects.
What is the current situation?
Occitanie is currently the region seeing some of the most rapid changeovers, and much of the work has already been completed.
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The switchover is happening in two stages; firstly, commercial. This means that no new clients can sign up to ADSL services, and existing clients are having their contracts wound up. If you are affected by this, you will have been advised by post or email about the changes.
The second stage is technical. This means that the lines will physically no longer work.
In its January 2026 update, Orange said: “For all municipalities in France, Orange is planning commercial closure on either January 31, 2026, or January 31, 2027. However, to ensure that there is no disruption to connectivity, postponements may be necessary in municipalities where the criteria for closure imposed on Orange by Arcep are not met in time.”
In Occitanie, of the region's 4,453 municipalities, 3,693 have already begun the commercial process, Orange has said (around 84%).
Of these, 60 municipalities have already made the technical step to have their lines shut down completely - including in Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard, Théziers, Pouzols, and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. Most were transitioned on January 27.
Now, the technical shutdown is proceeding in ‘batches (lots)’. These batches are being defined nationally, in consultation with communications regulator Arcep (Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques, des postes et de la distribution de la presse).
Around 3,200 municipalities in Occitanie are now included in the national schedule for permanent closure, with work in the region expected to peak in 2029.
What does the switchover mean for my connection?
No-one should expect their connections to be “cut overnight”, said Nicolas Brochot, Orange’s regional representative in Occitanie.
Most people will have had three years to prepare, between the first announcement that ADSL coverage was ending, and the final switchoff. This is because Arcep requires Orange to communicate the list of municipalities scheduled for shut down at least 36 months in advance.
Some areas have already been on the new system for months.
The changeover “marks a major step forward in the modernisation of digital infrastructure in France,” said the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, in a statement.
“Nearly 95% of people in France are now eligible for it, and 80% of internet subscriptions are [already provided] via this technology”, Orange stated in its most recent update.
“94% of premises in France are already eligible for fibre option, and…80% of internet subscriptions are now fibre optic, compared to 16% in 2015,” the update added. “This has made it the benchmark technology for fixed internet access.”
“It's time to switch France to ultra-high-speed broadband, particularly with fibre optics,” said
Mr Brochot. He calls it a “long-term solution” that is more reliable, stable, and capable of managing ever-greater digital demands.
Orange denies that the cutting of copper will “disconnect” rural parts of France, claiming that the varied "technology mix” on offer (including fibre, 4G/5G, and satellite) will ensure no-one is left behind.
The Ma Connexion Internet website (run by the regulator Arcep) can help you check the coverage in your area (screenshot)Arcep / screenshot
It comes as concerns remain over poor-quality fibre-optic internet installations, prompting the regulator to enforce stricter measures in a bid to ensure good quality connections. This includes, for example, the requirement to help a disconnected household to establish its connection, even if they are with a different supplier.
In 2025, France’s fibre optic potential was already considered to be above the European average, with 94% of homes eligible for fibre and 80% already connected at that point, the president of Arcep, Laure de La Raudière, said last year.
People in France are also warned to stay alert to ‘hard sells’ of fibre optic connections and packages, and not to give in to marketers who say that people who do not switch immediately will lose their ADSL internet connection ‘next month’, or will be breaking the law if they do not change. This is not true.
How can I check the status of my connection?
The government website on the switchover, treshautdebit.gouv.fr, outlines some steps to take to check if you are affected, and when the changeover may be scheduled for your area.
The switchover will affect everyone eventually, regardless of the operator that you are with (e.g. Orange, SFR, Free, etc).
The website suggests:
Check your bill and connection. Does your bill still say ‘ADSL’? Do you still use an older ‘T connector’ wire for your connection? You are probably still using the old system.
Check the scheduled date for your municipality. The schedule provides for a gradual switchover. Search the website page for your commune to find your planned date.
Test your fibre eligibility. Visit the Ma Connexion Internet website (run by the regulator Arcep) to check if your home is able to be connected (see screenshot of the site above).
Plan ahead. As the switchover date approaches, it makes sense to double check that your home is technically able to be connected, and that any work to enable this is completed.
If fibre isn't available, consider other options. Try fixed 4G/5G, or satellite. Under certain conditions, you might be able to get government assistance to ensure your connection.
You can also check if your area has fibre connectivity – as well as the telecoms company that operates the line – through our previous articles here and here, and you can also find out moreabout the financial aid that may be available to help with installation.
