A significant disruption of internet and phone connections is impacting millions across France as the country undergoes a major telecommunications transition. Starting on January 31, 2023, the historical operator Orange began phasing out ADSL lines, forcing nearly 10,000 communes to transition to the much faster fiber optic networks. This change is deeply rooted in the obsolescence of the copper lines historically maintained by France Télécom, which have been the backbone of wired telephony and internet connectivity for decades.
The shift from ADSL, which has slower speeds and is more expensive to maintain, to fiber optics aims to modernize France's communications infrastructure. While this initiative is poised to offer enhanced internet and phone services, it also presents significant challenges. The work involves extensive retrofitting and installations across numerous communities, adding pressure on both service providers and local governments.
Throughout the transition, several municipalities have already started experiencing issues. Wittelsheim stands out as one community facing immediate connectivity problems. On January 13, 2023, the six primary schools within the municipality lost access to internet and telephone services due to the premature exit of their private service provider. This sudden loss of connectivity led local officials to spring quickly to formulating emergency action plans.
Alexandre Oberlin, the Director General of Services, reflected on the pressed situation, stating, “Nous allons nous substituer au prestataire externe qui venait de nous lâcher,” which translates to “We will have to substitute for the external provider who just left us.” This reflects not only the urgency of maintaining communication lines with parents but also the broader issues at stake for educational institutions reliant on technology.
To mitigate the impact on over 900 children across the schools, Wittelsheim leaders mobilized rapid responses, including establishing emergency telephone lines. From February 12 onward, all outgoing lines were directed to mobile phones, ensuring at least temporary communication channels remained intact. The community is also exploring permanent solutions, such as introducing wireless fixed telephony and fast-tracking moves to connect schools to fiber optic networks.
Wittelsheim’s mayor affirmed, “Contrairement à ce que dit la rumeur, la Ville a bien payé ses factures,” meaning, “Contrary to rumor, the City has paid its bills.” This statement counters claims of negligence, clearly indicating the issues could be attributed to the contractor's (délégataire) withdrawal of services after the city decided not to renew its contract at the year's end. The mayor's concerns are not only about immediate connectivity but also the precedent this situation sets for future contractual obligations.
Connectivity issues have not been limited to educational institutions. A recent court hearing held via videoconference at the court of Nîmes experienced multiple disruptions, hampering the judicial process where technical conditions remained appalling. During the proceedings, as the presiding judge attempted to address the defendant, the connection repeatedly failed, resulting in visible frustration among those present. Technical staff were forced to make numerous calls to the detention center to re-establish connection, reflecting the shortcomings of the current infrastructure.
Participants remarked on the poor-quality audiovisual feed throughout the process, with images freezing and audio cutting out during key moments of the testimonies. Despite efforts to resolve the issues, many were left questioning if the justice process could effectively function under such unreliable conditions.
Given the sweeping scale of these outages from both institutional and residential perspectives, many are calling for urgent updates and support from local authorities to facilitate this major infrastructural change. While the future of connectivity appears bright with the expansion of fiber optics, the current interruptions serve as stark reminders of the challenges inherent in such widespread technological shifts.
Many individuals are advised to begin addressing their technological needs proactively and transition to new systems sooner rather than later. The municipality of Wittelsheim encourages families to communicate with their internet providers to expedite movement to fiber optic setups. With the completion of this transition scheduled to culminate by the end of 2030, the obligations to maintain connectivity have only begun to surface.
Although the promise of swifter internet connections looms on the horizon, the challenges faced during the transition remind us of the importance of ensuring reliable service across all sectors—ensuring schools, local municipalities, and even justice systems remain interconnected and effective as France moves forward with technological advancement.