Free will soon be marketing its fiber-optic offerings on networks operated by TDF. This partnership has been made possible by the signing of a framework agreement with IFT*, a company jointly owned by iliad SA. It will be implemented as and when agreements are reached with the local authorities concerned.
This new agreement confirms TDF's positioning as a neutral and open fiber infrastructure operator, aimed at serving low-density areas and accelerating the digital coverage of territories. TDF operates four networks, enabling 735,000 homes and businesses to benefit from very-high-speed broadband services via its subsidiaries: Val d'Oise Fibre (85,000 outlets), Yvelines Fibre (100,000 outlets), Val de Loire Fibre (Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher: 320,000 outlets), Anjou Fibre (Maine-et-Loire: 230,000 outlets).
Work has already begun on the Yvelines Fibre network, which will be the first to benefit from Free's arrival. Residents and businesses will gradually be able to access Free's fiber-optic services and offers.
By the end of the summer, Free aims to be present on the other networks operated by TDF: Val de Loire, Anjou Fibre and Val d'Oise.
Residents with access to the fiber optic networks operated by TDF can follow the progress of this rollout at https://www.free.fr/freebox/fibre-optique/. They can be kept informed directly by filling in the online interest form.
Olivier Huart, Chairman and CEO of TDF, said:
"We are delighted with this agreement, which enables us to continue our long-standing partnership with Free. Very high-speed fixed broadband is becoming a necessity for the attractiveness of regions and the daily lives of French people. On behalf of the TDF Group, I am proud that we can contribute to this in the regions that have placed their trust in us.
For iliad, this agreement is part of the Group's strategy of investing in very high-speed networks. With IFT, iliad has invested over one billion euros in fiber over the last 18 months. The Group's ambition is to be present throughout France as quickly as possible, with 2/3 of its subscribers outside the Very Dense Zone (ZTD).
Thomas Reynaud, Managing Director of iliad, comments:
"With this new agreement, we are confirming our strategy of long-term co-investment in Fiber networks, which today enables the Group to cover 21 million homes with Fiber optics in France, and to make Fiber accessible to as many people as possible, with offers that are the same for everyone and available in every territory."