Who are the die-hards of ADSL? While optical fiber is being deployed throughout the country, individuals are making the deliberate choice to stay on the copper network. On the principle “ADSL works, why change it? “, these refractory to the fiber diet would be between 10 and 15% according to Xavier Niel, boss of Free.
As an infrastructure operator dedicated to Public Initiative Networks (RIP), supported by local authorities, Orange Concessions sought to find out more about this population by commissioning a study from CRP Consulting. 920 French people living in rural areas in the departments of Aveyron, Moselle and Var were interviewed face to face in February and March.
An information deficit
What are the reasons given for not subscribing to a fiber optic offer when it is available on their territory? For 42% of eligible but not connected households, the quality of their connection in place via ADSL or a mobile network (connection sharing, 4G box) is sufficient and meets their current needs.
The second brake is financial. For 40% of respondents, the rising subscription price and the potential cost of the connection are obstacles to switching to fiber optics. However, 37% of respondents indicate that they could subscribe to a fiber subscription with a telecom operator if a promotional offer were offered to them.
Finally, the study points to the general public’s lack of information, including ” in areas where fiber has been deployed for several months “. 36% of respondents have not switched to optical fiber simply because they do not know their eligibility or do not know the advantages of optical fiber (increased speed, low latency, connection stability).
Whose fault is it ? In terms of information, the telecom operator is the main point of contact for 67% of respondents. Local authorities also have an important role to play, with 43% of respondents turning first to the town hall of their community for information.
What about the quality of service?
The survey for Orange Concessions omits one last obstacle, perhaps the most important: the quality of service. Connection difficulties, temporary disconnections, uncontrolled disconnections of a user for the benefit of a new subscriber… the transition from ADSL to fiber is like a veritable obstacle course for some subscribers.
The Electronic Communications Mediation was seized in particular for “ddamage to the consumer’s home by the technician, the removal of the ADSL cable, cuts in electrical wires, ADSL connection or TV aerial, damaged walls”.
What cool the ardor of many subscribers. Especially since some so-called complex fiber connections involve work at the subscriber’s expense, such as digging a trench on their land, breaking a slab in their garage or unclogging a duct.
To this end, Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate in charge of the digital transition and telecommunications, is studying, beyond “a right to very high speed for all”, the possibility of setting up aid from the State which would support the financing of the work incumbent on the individual.
The end of the copper network calls for choices
Whatever the reasons given, good or bad, these refractory fiber will soon be called upon to make a choice. The copper network that supports ADSL will, in fact, gradually die out by 2030. Individuals and businesses could find themselves without an internet connection or will have to opt for an alternative technology to fiber optics such as cable, a box 4G/5G or satellite internet.
According to a study by UFC Que Choisir, some 12 million French people – nearly one in five households – still do not have a quality internet connection, despite the success of the France Very High Speed Plan.
A digital divide which is coupled with a territorial divide. Nearly a third (32.6%) of the 8.8 million inhabitants of municipalities with less than a thousand inhabitants do not have a very high speed internet connection.