Tensions are escalating among French telecom operators as Bouygues Telecom and SFR have recently filed claims totaling 332 million euros against Orange. The issue centers around costs that the two operators incurred connecting their customers to fiber optic services, which they allege were never reimbursed by the historical operator.
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A Dispute Simmering Since 2022
According to L’Informé, SFR is seeking 180 million euros, while Bouygues is asking for 152 million. The dispute involves the installation of the optical network terminal (ONT), the small device installed in homes that represents the final link between the customer and the fiber network.
This conflict isn’t new. For several months, Bouygues Telecom and SFR have been criticizing a flaw in the economic model of the final connection, particularly in areas where Orange is responsible for the infrastructure.
Orange Targeted by Competitors
The two operators argue that subcontractors hired by Orange favor the installation of new terminals—which are more profitable—over the reuse of existing facilities. It is clear that this practice results in additional costs for third-party operators.
In practice, instead of connecting a new customer to an existing fiber terminal, some technicians opt to install a new ONT box, an operation that is more financially rewarding but also more costly in the long run. As a result, competing operators end up paying for services that they consider unjustified, and are now demanding retroactive reimbursement.
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Historically designated as the infrastructure operator in many areas, Orange is responsible for the maintenance and management of the network’s mutualization points. Therefore, it is obligated to ensure fair network access for all operators. Bouygues and SFR believe that Orange has not fulfilled these commitments.
A Precedent with Potential Significant Impact
This case could set a precedent. Indeed, if the courts were to side with Bouygues and SFR, it could pave the way for further compensation claims from other operators or even local governments. At a time when the state is striving to speed up fiber coverage nationwide, this feud among operators could also slow down connections or further heighten tensions in the field. So far, Orange has not officially responded to these claims, but the case promises to fuel debates in an already strained sector..