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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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