Overview

• The shutdown of the copper network begins this Friday, affecting 164 French communities in the first phase of the transition to fiber optics.
• Orange, the operator overseeing the process, plans to complete the nationwide phase-out of copper by 2030, with seven stages of disconnection.
• Residents and businesses already using fiber will see no disruption, while those still on copper-based services like ADSL will lose connectivity unless they switch.
• The copper network, in use since the 1970s, is being replaced due to its obsolescence and the superior speed, stability, and energy efficiency of fiber optics.
• By the end of 2024, 90% of French homes were fiber-ready, with 73% of internet subscriptions already on fiber, reflecting significant progress in the transition.