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Telecommunications in France are highly developed. France is served by an extensive system of automatictelephone exchanges connected by modern networks offiber-optic cable,coaxial cable,microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includesroaming service to foreign countries.
The telephony system employs an extensive system of modern network elements such as digitaltelephone exchanges,mobile switching centres,media gateways andsignalling gateways at the core, interconnected by a wide variety of transmission systems usingfibre-optics orMicrowave radio relay networks. Theaccess network, which connects the subscriber to the core, is highly diversified with different copper-pair, optic-fibre and wireless technologies. The fixed-line telecommunications market is dominated by the former state-owned monopolyFrance Telecom.
Telephones – main lines in use: 36.441 million; 35.5 million (metropolitan France) (2009)
Telephones – mobile cellular: 60.95 million; 59.543 million (metropolitan France) (2009)
Satelliteearth stations – 2Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas – 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NAEutelsat, 1Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries
Radio stations: AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 55.3 million (1997)
Television stations: 584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions: 34.8 million (1997)
Internet service providers (ISPs): 62 (2000)
Internet hosts: 15,182,001; 15.161 million (metropolitan France) (2010)
Internet users: 45.262 million; 44.625 million (metropolitan France) (2009)
France currently has 4 mobile networks,Orange,SFR,Bouygues Telecom andFree all of which are licensed for UMTS. All except Free are also licensed for GSM. In 2016 Q3, Orange had 28.966 million mobile phone customers, SFR had 14.577 million, Bouygues had 12.660 million, Free Mobile had 12.385 million, and the MVNOs had 7.281 million.[1]
Before the launch of Free Mobile in January 2012, the number of physical mobile phone operators was very limited. For example,Sweden currently has 4 licensed operators with their own networks despite a smaller and sparser population than France's, making improved coverage less economically rewarding. However, France has a number ofMVNOs which increases competition.
However,Free Mobile obtained its licence in December 2009 and operates since January 2012.[2]
In France, the satellite telecommunications system TELECOM 1 (TC1) will provide high-speed, broadband transfer of digital data between different sections of subscribing companies. Conventional telecommunications links between continental France and its overseas departments will also be supplied.
