France's Multiplay Success Drives FTTH Interest

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts — By 2014, 50 percent of households in France will subscribe to a triple-play offer as operators invest in FTTH to stay competitive, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research, the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network.

France: Multiplay Success Drives FTTH Interest offers a precise, incisive profile of the country’s converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the French market. This 30-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies, such as WiMax, IPTV, and VoIP. It provides a comprehensive view of the French communications market by analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities, and assessing upcoming risks factors.

“Pyramid forecasts that 30 percent of households in France will subscribe to a triple-play offer by the end of 2009, a number we expect to increase to almost 50 percent by 2014,” says Jan ten Sythoff, EMEA Manager at Pyramid Research and author of the report. “Pyramid expects quad-play adoption to gradually increase to make up 3 percent of households by 2014,” he adds.

Fixed-mobile convergence will become an increasingly important competitive focus over the next couple of years. “On the fixed side, investments into fiber will be key to maintaining a strong position in the fixed broadband sector; the development of FTTH is a key issue, and ARCEP, the regulator, is promoting cooperation in order to drive FTTH coverage,” Sythoff, says. “On the mobile side, competition will increase with the launch of the fourth network, as well as increasing numbers of MVNOs.”

Pay-TV competition has intensified with the entry of DSL and fiber operators, as content offers and packages are a key differentiator in triple-play bundles. “Orange has also started selling satellite TV as part of its triple-play packages, in order to provide nationwide TV coverage, not possible through its DSL network,” Sythoff explains. “Cable operator Numericable is investing in fiber technology, and we therefore expect cable subscriptions to decline.”

France: Multiplay Success Drives FTTH Interest is part of Pyramid Research’s Western Europe Country Intelligence Report Series. Pyramid Research’s premium Country Intelligence Reports are the industry’s best available analysis on market trends, regulatory environments, and competitive dynamics for 60 countries worldwide. It can be purchased online here or through Amalia Vega via email at avega@pyr.com or telephone at +1 809 330 4520.