Abstract
Over the last five years, France has seen widespread deployment of alternative
broadband networks in less densely populated areas. Strong promotion of
digital development, primarily at a regional and local level but facilitated
by national legislative and regulatory measures, has led to the emergence of a
viable alternative to the incumbent-owned network and the creation of a
competitive wholesale market. These public initiative networks (PINs), funded
by a combination of public and private investment, have brought tangible
benefits to France by extending broadband availability, stimulating
competition and investment, and connecting businesses and the public sector.
Table of Contents
- Executive summary
- In a nutshell
- Ovum view
- Key messages
- Why intervene? Broadband availability is not the sole issue
- Effective intervention requires a robust framework
- Localised digital ambitions are key to political buy-in
- Co-funding: an effective investment stimulus
- Build it and they will come: selectively applicable
- Consumer ISP choice: greater coverage for national ISPs
- A technology-neutral approach is key
- The backdrop to public intervention in broadband
- Broadband on the back burner: a lack of infrastructure
- Broadband as economic enabler
- A legislative catalyst
- The emergence of an alternative model
- Framework
- The DSP model
- DSP and broadband: new powers for authorities
- The options
- Financing
- The supply landscape
- Significant scale in a short amount of time
- Spurring the development of a competitive supply landscape
- Examples of network deployments
- Attracting private investment: making the business case
- Public intervention has built solid foundations
- A clear roadmap for investment and co-investment
- A long-term view of investment by infrastructure players
- Five key drivers for building an effective investment case
- Creating wholesale services that evolve over time
- Technology mix: from WiMAX to FTTH
- The PIN scorecard: more hits than misses
- A viable alternative
- Instrumental in backhaul
- Extending broadband availability
- Better broadband for businesses
- Connecting businesses
- Cheaper access for SMEs: an emerging trend?
- Connecting the public sector
- Consumer broadband: a more limited impact
List of Tables
- Table 1: PIN deployments
- Table 2: List of main delegates for PINs
- Table 3: Examples of network rollouts
- Table 4: Impact of PINs on expanding DSL availability in selected French
regions
- Table 5: Selected regions with alternative operators offering consumer
broadband utilising PINs
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Levels of engagement/investment for delegates
- Figure 2: Five key drivers for an effective investment case
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