French operators step up pace of 5G activations in December
FRANCE 09:52

French operators step up pace of 5G activations in December

The footprint of 5G cell sites emitting a signal across mainland France increased by 757 during December, reaching 45,955 as of 01 January, according to spectrum agency ANFR. This monthly increase was up from 445 in November and 701 in the year-earlier period. All four network operators accelerated the pace of 5G site activations, led by Orange with 521 additional sites across the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.

Devoteam to acquire French process automation specialist Infinity
FRANCE 8 JAN

Devoteam to acquire French process automation specialist Infinity

IT services and tech consulting group Devoteam has agreed to acquire Infinity, a French consulting company specialising in RPA (Robotic Process Automation) transformation projects. Founded in 2020, Infinity helps clients boost operational performance by tailoring digital automation software to their needs. The acquisition of Infinity complements Devoteam's own hyperautomation and hyperbot offering, reinforcing the group's ambition to lead in automation platforms augmented by generative and agentic AI agents

Orange data analytics venture Hexadone acquires French start-up Hyvilo  
FRANCE 7 JAN

Orange data analytics venture Hexadone acquires French start-up Hyvilo  

Hexadone, a French venture backed by Orange and Banque des Territoires, has agreed to acquire Hyvilo, a French start-up founded at the end of 2020 in Besancon. Hyvilo's software development expertise helps clients extract value from their data and break down information silos to improve operational performance. Its data management platform addresses the specific needs of different organisations and sectors, such as local authorities and real estate asset specialists.

Orange delays plan to stop selling ADSL in France
FRANCE 7 JAN

Orange delays plan to stop selling ADSL in France

Orange France has been forced to revise its plans to withdraw ADSL connectivity from its commercial offers, reports Le Monde. An analysis of an Excel document released in mid-December shows that the operator has postponed the deadline for this withdrawal for nearly 23 million premises, representing approximately half of the country's total. This decision leaves open the option for B2C and B2B customers across this footprint to subscribe to a new ADSL line until 31 January 2027. Under the previous deadline,

Arcep welcomes new powers to enforce data sharing regulation
FRANCE 6 JAN

Arcep welcomes new powers to enforce data sharing regulation

French telecom regulator Arcep has expressed support for draft legislation that extends its remit and powers to new areas. As the competent authority for implementing the EU's Data Act, Arcep will be responsible for enforcing data sharing regulation, which will become part of the regulator's broader investigative activities, supported by dedicated sanctioning and dispute-settlement powers. These changes are included in draft legislation known as DDADUE (dispositions d'adaptation au droit de l'Union europeen

Bouygues Telecom increases price of fibre-only plan to EUR 25/month
FRANCE 5 JAN

Bouygues Telecom increases price of fibre-only plan to EUR 25/month

French operator Bouygues Telecom has raised the price of its standalone fibre plan, B&You Pure Fibre, from EUR 23.99 to EUR 24.99 per month. This is the first price increase since the plan was introduced in early November 2024. Less than six months after its launch, the plan was upgraded to support Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.

French spectrum agency orders recall of several smartphones over regulation breaches
FRANCE 2 JAN

French spectrum agency orders recall of several smartphones over regulation breaches

France's spectrum agency ANFR announced that it is monitoring the recall of six smartphone models that should not be marketed in Europe, as well as two other models found in breach of EU regulations on radio frequency (RF) exposure. These actions follow separate procedures implemented by the agency as part of its ongoing testing campaigns to ensure compliance with safety rules.

Data4 enters exclusive negotiations for new data centre campus in Hauts-de-France
FRANCE 31 DEC 2025

Data4 enters exclusive negotiations for new data centre campus in Hauts-de-France

European data centre operator Data4 has been selected to build a new data centre campus in Escaudain (Hauts-de-France region). Following the selection process, the local authority responsible for the site will now enter a 60-day period of exclusive negotiations to finalise the agreement. The 38-hectare site, located within the 'La Porte du Hainau' area, previously hosted a factory and requires decontamination. Once this phase is completed, the partners plan to install AI-ready data centres with a strong foc

Google updates Pixel 9 in France after breaching parental controls obligation
FRANCE 30 DEC 2025

Google updates Pixel 9 in France after breaching parental controls obligation

Google has taken remedial action in France after its Pixel 9 A smartphone was found in breach of local regulations mandating free parental controls on connected devices. The phone's Android 16 software was remotely updated to achieve compliance. This automatic update was issued following a formal request from French spectrum agency ANFR, which tested the Pixel 9 A model as part of its monitoring activity. In a statement, the agency explained that the smartphone had failed to prompt activation of a parental

Free Mobile admits 3G switch-off technical snag blocking calls
FRANCE 29 DEC 2025

Free Mobile admits 3G switch-off technical snag blocking calls

French operator Free Mobile (Iliad group) has acknowledged a technical issue preventing certain customers from making calls, including to emergency numbers. A company spokesperson told Frandroid that the problem is caused by incompatible software on some older smartphone models, which prevents the devices from using the operator's VoLTE service. Some customers reported the issue on online forums after Free Mobile began refarming its 900 MHz spectrum from 3G to 4G. According to these customers' direct experi

Phoenix Tower closes acquisition of Infracos from Bouygues and SFR
FRANCE 24 DEC 2025

Phoenix Tower closes acquisition of Infracos from Bouygues and SFR

Phoenix Tower International said it has successfully closed the acquisition of Infracos, the joint venture owned by Bouygues Telecom and SFR that manages approximately 3,700 mobile sites in medium dense areas of France. The investment brings PTI's French portfolio to nearly 10,000 nationwide sites, including committed Build-to-Suit (BTS) deployments. Pro forma for this transaction and contracted deployments, PTI will own and operate over 33,000 telecom towers in Europe, the US, Latin America and the Caribbe

Starlink France reaches nearly 160,000 residential customers
FRANCE 23 DEC 2025

Starlink France reaches nearly 160,000 residential customers

Starlink's residential offers have attracted nearly 160,000 subscribers in France since their launch in 2021, reports Le Figaro citing a company source. Commenting on its performance, the satellite operator noted that French terrestrial networks have achieved very good coverage, limiting the potential for customer acquisitions. While Brazil and some African countries currently show the best growth momentum, Starlink's French operations are also making gains, according to the source.

FRANCE 23 DEC 2025

Orange Concessions wins contract to modernise fibre network in Rennes metropolitan area

Rennes Metropole, the city council managing Brittany's Rennes metropolitan area, has selected FTTH venture Orange Concessions to modernise the local public-initiative fibre network built and managed by RMT (Rennes Metropole Telecom). This network, which the city council began building in 2007, is used by nearly 800 enterprises and several public sector entities, including local authorities. The Orange venture will replace RMT by taking over the operation of the open-access infrastructure under a seven-year

FRANCE 23 DEC 2025

French football league strengthens fight against piracy with new court win

LFP, France's football league governing body, has announced a new legal victory in its fight against piracy. This latest ruling from a Paris court complements previous injunctions against sites illegally streaming Ligue 1 games by targeting technical intermediaries such as VPN and DNS service providers. Among them, DNS4EU will be required to implement the blocking measures for the first time.

FRANCE 22 DEC 2025

Paramount shuts down several TV channels in France

Paramount's channel offering in France will change from 31 December, reports Universfreebox citing communication sent by Free to its IPTV customers. From this date, several Paramount channels will cease broadcasting in the country across all French distributors, including Free and Canal Plus. The channels affected by this decision from Paramount Global are Game One (video gaming), MTV Hits (music), J-One (animation), BET (entertainment), and Paramount Network (films/TV series).

FRANCE 22 DEC 2025

Canal Plus to pay EUR 363 mln in French tax dispute settlement

Canal Plus has settled its long-running dispute with French tax authorities over unpaid VAT, reports Le Figaro citing a statement issued by the company. The settlement amounts to EUR 363 million, with the payment schedule to be defined at a later date. At the end of 2024, Canal Plus disclosed that it had received claims for unpaid VAT totalling around EUR 655 million. According to Le Figaro, the company could have been theoretically liable for double this sum, given the nature and length of the tax dispute.

FRANCE 22 DEC 2025

France launches 3.8-4.2 GHz spectrum award for 5G private networks

French telecom regulator Arcep has confirmed the launch of a 5G spectrum award dedicated to industrial applications. Previously limited to trial authorisations, the 3.8-4.2 GHz band will now be permanently allocated for deployments of 5G private networks in blocks of up to 100 MHz. As part of this award, candidates are invited to apply for ten-year licences in mainland France, subject to annual fees set by government decree. The launch follows the consultation process completed by Arcep earlier this year to

FRANCE 19 DEC 2025

French spectrum agency sets higher vigilance threshold for RF exposure

France's spectrum agency ANFR has raised the limit at which radio frequency (RF) exposure measurements are classified as 'atypical' from 6 V/m to 9 V/m. This follows the consultation launched in July to gather stakeholders' views on the proposal. Changing this vigilance threshold level does not affect the maximum RF exposure limits that mobile equipment must comply with, which remain set by current regulations at between 28 V/m and 61 V/m depending on the frequency.

FRANCE 19 DEC 2025

Bouygues Telecom Business launches managed XDR service powered by Palo Alto's Cortex platform

Bouygues Telecom Business, the B2B arm of French operator Bouygues Telecom, has expanded its cybersecurity portfolio with the launch of a managed XDR (extended detection and response) service designed for mid and large-sized organisations. Named bSecure, this new offering combines the expertise of Bouygues Telecom's Security Operations Centre (SOC) with the advanced capabilities of Cortex XDR, the AI-driven endpoint security platform from Palo Alto Networks.

FRANCE 19 DEC 2025

Free Mobile joins Nokia's Network as Code ecosystem for API collaboration

Nokia has announced that its Network as Code platform and developer portal now include Iliad subsidiary Free Mobile as a new partner. The Network as Code initiative enables developers and telecom operators to collaborate under a revenue-sharing model, providing developers with standardised access to network functions through software development kits and network APIs.

FRANCE 19 DEC 2025

Bouygues Telecom promotes Lopez to director of information systems

French operator Bouygues Telecom announced that chief technical officer Jean Paul Arzel has appointed Georgina Lopez as director of information systems. Lopez, who joined Bouygues Telecom in 1999, most recently led the division responsible for product and service development. In her new role, she will focus on enhancing the performance of the company's information systems, driving the use of enablers such as artificial intelligence.

FRANCE 18 DEC 2025

Free adds more FAST channels to Free TV catalogue

French operator Free announced the addition of eight new FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) channels to its Free TV streaming service. These latest arrivals are all thematic, offering a selection of movie genres, talk shows and other programmes. Five of them come from content partner Rakuten TV and focus on top films, action, comedy, romance, and crime.

FRANCE 18 DEC 2025

Iliad's Free increases termination fee for Freebox customers to EUR 69

French operator Free, part of the Iliad group, has raised the termination fee owed by Freebox customers cancelling their fixed broadband service. According to Free's latest tariff brochure, the fee is now EUR 69, marking the second consecutive increase this year. On 01 April, it went up from EUR 49 to EUR 59.

FRANCE 18 DEC 2025

Celeste makes entire portfolio available for online orders with new e-commerce platform

French B2B operator Celeste has announced the launch of its new e-commerce platform (e-celeste.fr), enabling online orders across its entire catalogue for both direct customers and distribution partners. The platform provides detailed information on eligibility and pricing for all products and services within Celeste's telecom, cloud and cybersecurity portfolio. Clients can now complete their orders online without contacting Celeste's commercial team, saving significant time and offering greater autonomy th

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Background

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln

22 DEC 2025 00:25

The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount

15 DEC 2025 01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation