With the cessation of copper, 162 municipalities are now deprived of ADSL lines, and this will not stop until 2030

The definitive shutdown of the copper network, and therefore of ADSL, is scheduled for 2030. Orange launched its huge project a few days ago, closing subscriptions to 162 French municipalities.

Although the number of fiber optic subscriptions has exceeded 20 million and is much higher than that of subscribers to an ADSL offer, many French people still receive Internet, television and telephone via the historic copper network. This is intended to expire, with a gradual closure of the marketing of offers initially, until its definitive extinction in 2030. Since 1^er January 2024, 162 municipalities have already entered a new era of connectivity.

211,000 premises and homes already affected by the end of the copper network

The serious things begin! For several days, the inhabitants of 162 municipalities in our territory, part of lot 1 of the national copper shutdown program, can no longer subscribe to a so-called XDSL offer, that is to say ADSL, SDSL or VDSL. But be careful, these municipalities still maintain an active copper network.

The nuance is that residents now have one year, until January 31, 2025 to be precise, to subscribe to a fiber optic offer. Because once this date has passed, they will be subject to a technical cut, and therefore definitive use, of the copper network.

Internet, landline telephone services with T-plug… all will be permanently cut. In total, no fewer than 211,000 homes and premises are affected by this first batch. So to avoid any unpleasant surprises, citizens are invited to contact Orange and any other operator to switch to a fiber offer.

Subscribers of all telecom operators concerned

As you have understood, the extinction of the copper network will be gradual. Some French municipalities have already been closed on an experimental basis, 162 municipalities are following suit at the start of the year, and others are waiting their turn. What you need to know is that everyone is affected, even those who subscribe to an Orange competitor. Because it is the historic operator who owns the copper network, and the cut obviously applies to all those who use this network.

Municipalities which cannot subscribe to ADSL offers from the end of January 2025 will see their internet and telephone services be permanently stopped the following year, around January 2026. And so on, until 2030.

In the absence of a fiber connection before the technical end of ADSL in your municipality, Orange is committed to providing an alternative to consumers: a satellite connection, for example, or a fixed mobile offer. On its website, the company provides a map which allows you to know if your town or village is affected by the copper closure, and when.