Marc
22 July 2026 · 6 min read
With 96% of FttH premises connectable in France in 2026, the country still leads Europe in fixed very high-speed broadband. But behind this flattering ranking, a blind spot is emerging: half of these premises depend on publicly-initiated networks (RIP — réseaux d'initiative publique) — infrastructure built by local authorities and operated by concession holders such as Axione, Altitude Infra, Covage or Orange Concessions. And their economic model is wobbling. A bill from senator Patrick Chaize, unanimously adopted by the Senate on 8 April 2026, tries to address this through a brand-new equalisation mechanism.
The number that says it all: €2.30 per subscriber
In its public consultation of 24 March 2026 on the operational maintenance of publicly-initiated FttH networks, Arcep gathered accounting data from 43 RIP players. The verdict, published in June 2026: the monthly per-subscriber operating cost gap ranges from €1.60 to €3.20, for an average of €2.30. A gap that cannot be explained by rurality alone — it mainly reflects a structural flaw in the wholesale tariff grid, i.e. the price at which commercial operators (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom) pay to use the public network.
In concrete terms, on an average RIP subscriber paying €35/month, 6 to 9% of the bill barely covers the operating costs of the network that delivers the service. No wonder the FNCCR (national federation of conceding local authorities), the Avicca (association of cities and local authorities for digital networks and services) and Départements de France are raising their voices.
Photo: Unsplash — a RIP mutualisation point typically serves ten times fewer subscribers than in dense urban areas.
What exactly are RIP networks?
Publicly-initiated networks are fiber networks built by local authorities (regions, départements, mixed unions) in areas where private operators did not invest: rural, peri-urban, mountainous areas. The state and local authorities funded their construction through the Plan France Très Haut Débit (2013-2022), worth several billion euros. Operation is then delegated to a concessionaire via a DSP (public service delegation contract).
These networks now account for roughly half of all French FttH premises. If you live in a rural area and have been connected to fiber since 2018-2022, you are very likely on a RIP — without knowing it. To check, the official Ma connexion internet tool by Arcep will tell you which infrastructure operator serves your address (often Altitude Infra, Axione, Covage, Fibre 31, etc.).
The Chaize bill: a 0.5% equalisation on fiber revenue
In response, senator Patrick Chaize (Ain, LR) tabled a bill introducing an equalisation mechanism between commercial operators. Unanimously adopted by the Senate on 8 April 2026, against the government's advice, it provides for:
- a fund fed by operators with more than 100,000 subscribers on the fiber segment;
- a contribution capped at 0.5% of their annual revenue on this segment;
- targeted beneficiaries: RIP networks whose net costs exceed the Arcep-calculated minimum reference cost by at least 15%;
- the fund would flow through a dedicated account at the Caisse des dépôts.
In plain terms: Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues Telecom, whose subscribers are in dense areas and generate more comfortable margins, would contribute modestly to balancing the books of smaller rural networks. A bit like the electricity tariff equalisation or the dotations de l'AMF for rural communes, but applied to fiber.
Why Arcep does not decide
In its consultation, Arcep chose not to take a legally binding decision on the wholesale tariff grid, preferring to rely on commercial negotiation between concessionaires and commercial operators. A stance criticised by the FNCCR: "we need a framework, not a code of good conduct", a press release from April 2026 summarises. The Cour des comptes report of April 2025 had already documented the financial difficulties of a significant share of RIPs, pointing to a risk of hidden debt ultimately borne by the conceding local authorities.
The concrete risk is well-known: without adjustment, some concessionaires may reduce maintenance, which would translate into more outages, more failed connections, and ultimately a drop in service quality — something Arcep's latest FttH quality observatory measures precisely (0.11% average outage rate, but 5.88% failed connections).
Expected timeline
For now, the Chaize bill has not yet been scheduled for debate in the Assemblée nationale. The text still needs to clear several steps — the economic affairs committee, second-reading debate, possible joint committee — before a promulgation that is not expected before late 2026 at the earliest. In parallel, Arcep must publish its own decision on the economic conditions of RIPs by autumn 2026, drawing on the submissions to the 24 March consultation.
Until then, the affected subscribers have no direct lever: neither the equalisation, nor Arcep's decision will change their bill for several months. The subject is however worth following closely, especially in the lagging départements identified by Arcep: Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard, Haute-Loire, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Orne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Vaucluse, Territoire de Belfort.
What this concretely changes for you
If you are a fiber subscriber on a RIP, three useful reflexes:
- Identify your network on Ma connexion internet (Arcep) to find out who your infrastructure operator is.
- Report outages via your ISP's online form: the data feeds the next observatories and weighs on future decisions.
- Follow the progress of the equalisation: it is a public-policy issue affecting half the country, not just a handful of local elected officials.
For everyday use — sending an SMS from our homepage, browsing SMS offers or reaching out via the contact form — fiber remains by far the dominant access, RIP included. But the long-term viability of smaller networks deserves attention, because it determines, ultimately, the quality of service in less dense areas.
The key takeaways
- The per-subscriber operating cost gap on RIPs ranges from €1.60 to €3.20 (average €2.30) according to Arcep 2026 data.
- The Chaize bill, adopted by the Senate on 8 April 2026, sets up an equalisation capped at 0.5% of fiber revenue from large operators.
- The text still needs to pass the Assemblée nationale — no promulgation expected before late 2026.
- Arcep must publish its own decision on RIPs by autumn 2026.
- At stake: the sustainability of half of France's fiber footprint, built by local authorities.
To go further, you can check Arcep's public consultations page, revisit our FttH quality observatory coverage or write to us to share your experience as a RIP subscriber.
