However this offer has several limitations

The stroke of genius of France Telecom turns into wet firecracker. In March, the incumbent operator has announced that it will for the first time lease its optical fiber to its competitors. Six months later, nothing has happened. No fibre would have still been leased, while several operators are interested in this offer. One of these operators, Free, decided to ask the regulator to initiate a sanctions procedure. "This offer is almost virtual, said its Director General, Michaël Boukobza.". France Telecom have reconnected with his former travers. Its teams are a formidable efficiency to prevent that this offer was exploited in good conditions. And, more importantly, Arcep is a passive accomplice.

Specifically, the incumbent operator asked a condition to its offer: fibres available. This is where the shoe pinches. In practice, he replied that no fiber is available in the majority of cases: 60 to 70 of cases, according to the association of community Avicca, and even "in practice, 80 of cases", according to Free, which will therefore ask Arcep verify that there are shortages.

At first glance, this offer is yet the stroke of genius. Indeed, it can kill in the egg network launched by local projects. The latter indeed branched into the construction of these networks because, historically, France Telecom refused to rent its fibres. From the time when this taboo falls, these networks of communities lose most of their interest.

In practical terms, this offer threat especially networks communities still in project. Indeed, the operators will mainly use the offer of France Telecom there where there is no network of community. On this area, the offer will dry up the demand in a sustainable manner (it needs to commit to fifteen years). Therefore, if the community then wants to build a network in this area, there will be more potential customers.

Several limitations

The threat is less about the networks of communities already built. Indeed, the offer is slightly more expensive than existing networks (see table above). It therefore competition networks which are the most expensive, or those which impose rent network in all its scope (and not section by section).

However, this offer has several limitations. First, it is usable for connecting the telephone exchanges of France Telecom in unbundling. Or networks of communities, if they fulfil essentially exactly this mission, also serve to something else, for example to directly connect fibre of users. "This offer does not apply to large public users served by networks of communities (hospitals, universities and research centres), or areas of activity", points out the Avicca. Another problem: almost 42 of Central are not connected in fiber, according to Arcep.

The Avicca conclusion: "this offer is not destabilized the existing networks of communities." It deters not communities to act, but can modify the new projects on a few tracks.

One question remains: How do we explain the hesitation of France Telecom The operator find free in dribs and drabs fibers that will clarify any particular community projects Or is it afraid of creating a dangerous precedent for future network optical fiber to the Subscriber When questioned, France Telecom replied that "for cases examined to date, the rate of available links is well above 20." In addition, we have taken no commitment on a rate of available-

availability. Our answers are therefore consistent with our commitments. "Nevertheless, we are studying solutions to improve the availability".