SFR supports its customers in the transition to fiber

Launched in 2013, the Plan France Très Haut Débit aims to cover the entire French territory by 2025. This plan relies on a dynamic of complementarity between public and private investments, with defined deployment zones to ensure optimal fiber coverage.

SFR FIBER IN 152 COMMUNES

“In the Var, there are four zones. First of all, a Public Initiative Zone (departmental) where the Délégation de Service Public (DSP) operates

List of the 27 communes with a technical shutdown of the copper network planned for May 31, 2028:

Bagnols-en-Forêt, Belgentier, Callian, Le Cannet-des-Maures, Châteauvieux, Cogolin, Comps-sur-Artuby, La Croix-Valmer, Esparron, Flassans-sur-Issole, La Garde, Gassin, Le Luc, La Martre, Moissac-Bellevue, Mons, Montauroux, Montfort-sur-Argens, Ollières, Pontevès, La Roque-Esclapon, Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Six-Fours-les-Plages, Vinon-sur-Verdon, Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer. Var THD and which represents 119 communes. Then, an Investment Call for Expression of Interest Zone (AMII) where XpFibre operates on its own funds (11 communes). In addition, there is an Investment Call for Expression of Interest Zone (AMII) where Orange operates on its own funds, representing 22 communes. Finally, a Very Dense Zone (ZTD) where each operator deploys fiber. This only concerns the city of Toulon,” explained Isabelle Simon. The Déléguée Régionale Méditerranée of Altice France added: “For example, in La Londe-les-Maures, the deployment of fiber optics has made significant progress thanks to the commitment of Var THD. Thus, nearly 12,000 homes and commercial premises are eligible for fiber optics. Across the Var, SFR’s fiber offer is available in 152 communes with nearly 810,000 (1) eligible homes and business premises. The shutdown of the copper network is already planned for 38 Var communes.”

This transition to fiber also corresponds to a modernization of the network. Indeed, after 50 years of service, the copper network requires more frequent repairs and no longer provides a sufficient connection quality to support daily uses. This is why the historic operator owning the copper network infrastructure announced at the end of 2019 its intention to technically shut it down between 2023 and 2030. This shutdown involves migrating to fiber optics, a more modern and higher-performing network.

PENETRATION RATE OF 50%

“This change in technology concerns companies, public administrations, and individuals alike. Although it is gradual, it is essential to prepare for it. The penetration rate of fiber optics on the DSP Var THD exceeds 50%. In practice, 1 out of 2 residents has already switched to fiber,” recalled Mrs. Simon. She continued: “The fiber network is the only wired telecom network that will ultimately exist. It will allow residents to benefit from a fast, reliable internet connection, in line with their uses today and tomorrow. The shutdown of the copper network will take place in two stages, starting with the commercial closure. Thus, from this date, it will no longer be possible to subscribe to a new DSL or copper telephone plan. Then, with the technical shutdown. From this date, all DSL and copper telephone services will be cut, regardless of the operator. The technical shutdown will take place at the level of the commune, except for special cases of certain communes in very dense zones, on the same date for all premises.” •

8 communes of the Var are already scheduled for the shutdown of the copper network, divided into batches 2, 3, and 4: • Batch 2: three communes of the Métropole Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée (Carqueiranne, La Crau, and Le Pradet) with an end of service scheduled for January 2026. • Batch 3: eight communes (Bargème, La Bastide, La Farlède, La Londe-les-Maures, Ollioules, Sanary-sur-Mer, Sillans-la-Cascade, Vins-sur-Caramy) with an end of service scheduled for January 2027, including La Londe-les-Maures. • Batch 4: twenty-seven communes with an end of service scheduled for May 2028.