Internet Options in Zones Non-Dégroupées

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how to get wifi in a rural area in France

So your home in rural France is in a zone non-dégroupée (non-unbundled zone). How does this affect your options for Internet and mobile phones? Which suppliers have the best offers?

This guide explains how to get the best deal on the Internet in zones non dégroupées in France.

What is a zone non dégroupée?

In some parts of France, Orange (historically France Télécom) still has an exclusive right to the "local loops" (phone lines), and competing telecommunications providers have to rent access from Orange when they provide service to customers in these areas. This adds an additional cost that customers have to pay as part of their prix de forfait (the price of the plan) when they sign up with a supplier other than Orange. Other services, including high-speed Internet and Internet TV, are not available in these areas.

Zones Non-Dégroupées and Zones Dégroupées Explained
  Zones Non-Dégroupées Zones Dégroupées
Location Rural areas, disappearing Most of France (urban areas)
Description Orange still controls phone lines ("local loops"); other providers must rent access from Orange to provide service Access to phone lines is "unbundled"; all providers have the same access to customer phone lines and can develop own software/networks
Prices Other suppliers must rent access to phone lines from Orange; additional charge added to subscriptions No additional charges
Services Available Fixed-line telephone, Internet (not high-speed), basic cellphone coverage Fixed-line telephone, high-speed Internet, 3G/4G cellphone coverage, Internet TV
Additional Notes Fewer provider options
Satellite Internet may be faster than ADSL
-

Internet Options in Zones Non-Dégroupées

Note: prices and offers valid as of October 2019

Orange

As the historic provider and owner of the phone lines, Orange's offers in zones non-dégroupées are the same prices as in unbundled areas (zones dégroupées). Orange offers the Internet package (Internet + fixed telephone line + television) "Livebox Zen" in zones non-dégroupées, which includes:

Name Internet Television Fixed Telephone Line Additional Notes

orange logo
Livebox: €31.99/month for the first year, then €36.99/month
(check for temporary promotions for new clients)

ADSL/VDSL2 160 channels
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to 100 international destinations (landlines)
  • Free calling to Canada & US mobile phone numbers
  • + €3/month for Livebox rental
  • No minimum engagement (€50 account closing fee)
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the Orange Cloud
  • 24h customer service guarantee: Orange promises to find a customer service solution to your problems within 24h

SFR

SFR offers a few options for Internet in zones non-dégroupées, which vary in price:

Name Internet Television Fixed Telephone Line Additional Notes

sfr logo
Offre Internet Seul
(Internet only): €21.99/month
(+ obligatory €1/month to have
Internet access on smartphones, tablets & computers)

ADSL/VDSL2 Not included Not included
  • + €3/month for modem rental (possibility to purchase the modem)
  • Must have an active fixed telephone account
  • Account opening fee: €39
  • Minimum 12-month engagement

sfr logo
Box de SFR: €31.99/month
(+ obligatory €1/month to
have Internet access on
smartphones, tablets & computers)

ADSL/VDSL2  
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)
  • + €3/month for box rental
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the SFR Cloud
  • Account opening fee: €39
  • Minimum 12-month engagement (€49 account closing fee)

sfr logo
Box Starter de SFR:
€41.99/month
(+ obligatory €1/month to
have Internet access on smartphones,
tablets & computers)

ADSL/VDSL2 SFR TV: 200 channels
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)
  • + €3/month for box rental
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the SFR Cloud
  • Minimum 12-month engagement (€49 account closing fee)

sfr logo
Box Premium Pro de SFR:
€76.99/month
(+ obligatory €1/month to have
Internet access on smartphones,
tablets & computers)

ADSL/VDSL2 SFR TV: 200 channels
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)
  • 2 phone numbers (regular fixed telephone line + VOIP fixed telephone line)
  • + €3/month for box rental
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the SFR Cloud
  • 8h-guaranteed return to service in event of interruption
  • Account opening fee: €39
  • Minimum 12-month engagement (€49 account closing fee)

Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom has one offer for customers in zones non-dégroupées:

Name Internet Television Fixed Telephone Line Additional Notes
bouygues telecom logo
BBox: €30.99/month
ADSL/VDSL2 Up to 150
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to 120 international destinations (landlines)
  • Fee to open an account: €50
  • Fee to close an account: €59 (may be reimbursed if equipment returned within 30 days)

Free

Free has one offer in zones non-dégroupées:

Name Internet Television Fixed Telephone Line Additional Notes
free mobile logo
Freebox Crystal: €35.98/month
ADSL/VDSL2 Not included
  • Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries
  • Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)
  • No minimum commitment
  • Fee to open an account (if phone line has been cut): €39.99
  • Fee to close an account: €49

Satellite Internet

If broadband speeds are particularly slow in your area, it may be worthwhile investing in satellite Internet. Depending on the plan chosen, Internet via satellite can reach speeds comparable to broadband in urban areas (up to 22Mb/s). However, satellite Internet does involve a considerable investment, and high-data volume plans can be expensive. Find out more about satellite Internet in our guide.

Comparison of Internet Offers in Zones Non-Dégroupées

Name Internet Television Fixed Telephone Line Additional Notes

orange logo
Livebox: €31.99/month the first year, then €36.99/month

(check for temporary promotions for new clients)

ADSL/VDSL2 160 channels

Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries

Free calling to 100 international destinations (landlines)

Free calling to Canada & US mobile phone numbers

  • + €3/month for Livebox rental
  • No minimum engagement (€50 account closing fee)
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the Orange Cloud
  • 24h customer service guarantee: Orange promises to find a customer service solution to your problems within 24h

sfr logo
Box Starter de SFR: €40/month

(+ obligatory €1/month to have

Internet access on smartphones, tablets & computers)

ADSL/VDSL2 SFR TV: 200 channels

Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries

Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)

  • + €3/month for box rental
  • Additional services: 10 Go storage space on the SFR Cloud
  • Minimum 12-month engagement (€49 account closing fee)
bouygues telecom logo
BBox: €30.99/month
ADSL/VDSL2 Up to 150

Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries

Free calling to 120 international destinations (landlines)

  • Fee to open an account: €50
  • Fee to close an account: €59 (may be reimbursed if equipment returned within 30 days)
free mobile logo
Freebox Crystal: €35.98/month
ADSL/VDSL2 Not included

Free calling to continental France + DOM TOM countries

Free calling to over 100 international destinations (landlines)

  • No minimum commitment
  • Fee to open account (if phone line has been cut): €39.99
  • Fee to close account: €49

As it does not need to add on additional rental fees, Orange is your best option for an Internet + television + fixed telephone line, though prices amongst providers are quite similar.

Glossary of Telephone Phone-Related Terms
French Phrase English Definition French Phrase English Definition
Zone dégroupée "Unbundled zone": all providers have the same access to customer phone lines and can develop own software/networks Zone non-dégroupée Orange still controls phone lines ("local loops"); other providers must rent access from Orange to provide service
TTC (toutes taxes comprises) All taxes included HT (hors taxes) Price before taxes
Box Internet modem Sans engagement Contract-free
Frais de résiliation Account closing fee Frais de mise en service/d'ouverture Account opening fee