Despite the widespread deployment of the 4G network, access to broadband is still unequal in France. In rural areas it is estimated that 32% of households do not have high-speed broadband, defined as a speed of at least 8 Mbit/s.
To eliminate this digital divide, the government have put in place a scheme of financial assistance.
The current scheme offers €150 towards a broadband connection, which from 1st April will be doubled to €300. Those on a very low income (yet to be specified) will be entitled to a grant of €600.
Households eligible for the grant are those:
located outside areas where at least one operator has made a commitment to fibre optic deployment by the end of 2022 and;
not eligible for or subscribed to an internet access offer with a peak speed of at least 8 Mbit/s by wired technology.
Three broadband access solutions are available:
a local radio loop that allows access through the installation of an antenna, eg Wimax;
an internet connection via a satellite dish;
a fixed 4G modem box.
Currently, households in 28,000 municipalities are eligible for the scheme.
The assistance can be used towards the cost of equipment, installation and commissioning work. In the case of a fixed 4G modem it is likely to cover 100% of the costs, although this is a solution that is less likely to be available. A satellite offer can cost upwards of €500, plus a substantial monthly charge.
The application for a grant can be made through Haut-Debit Aide financière de l'Etat. The page has yet to be updated with the latest offer.
You need to indicate your commune, which then offers a list of operators offering Cohésion numérique from whom you can make a choice. Once the operator has been chosen, simply contact them to find out if your property is eligible. If you are successful the grant will be credited to your telephone bill.
Many local 'France Services' offices are also available to assist, through a Conseiller-Numerique service.
Nevertheless, despite the offer, in some rural areas there is no operator who is able or willing to offer a high-speed broadband service, there are topographical limitations with an antenna, and most offers do not offer complete functionality, such as mobile phone coverage.
According to the government Plan France Très Haut Débit, the whole of France should have access to broadband speeds of 30Mbps or more by the end of 2022, of which 80% should be supplied by fibre optic to their property.
The French national auditor, the Cour de Comptes, has cast doubt on the 2022 target, considering 2030 a more realistic date. The new initiative by the government seems to be an admission that their target is not going to be achieved.
The main problem for France is the low-population density outside urban areas, which makes the installation of très haut débit an uneconomic proposition for telecoms providers.
To fill the gaps in rural areas, successive governments and local councils have intervened to target those areas where the private sector has been incapable of offering a service, and such locally led initiatives are now widespread.
There is, however, a reluctance by some households to sign-up to a high-speed service that may be available, either because of the cost of installation or the monthly charge, which in part the financial package being offered by the government is seeking to overcome.
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