New government: the telecommunications sector, industrialists and local elected officials want a complete political support for digital technology

However, all the players in this sector are questioning the place given to telecommunications, to connected and sustainable territories and to the inclusion of each French person in the digital transformation of France.

This telecommunications sector, which is currently worth 40 billion euros, is facing numerous major challenges, including the completion of the France Très Haut Débit Plan, total coverage of the 4G/5G mobile network, the quality of access to optical fiber, the closure of the historic copper telephone network, the security and resilience of digital infrastructures and services, etc.

In a fractured political and social context, ensuring equitable access to very high-speed Internet for all citizens is essential. And beyond the essential issues of connectivity, this also requires a sustainable policy of digital inclusion.

At the time of the announcement of the new government, local elected officials and industrialists in the sector are reiterating their questions already expressed a few months ago regarding the resources allocated to telecommunications following the cut (decided last February) of 39% of the credits planned for 2024. Questions which now give way to fears regarding the desire of the previous government to make new budget cuts.

Faced with the major challenges of inclusion, competitiveness and sustainability, the sector is surprised by the meager portion granted to digital technology and the lack of consideration of the telecommunications issue, which the new government does not seem to make a priority. France's digital transition, to be complete including on the subjects of AI or Startups, cannot rely on a lack of a telecommunications base, any more than it can be done by leaving millions of French people behind.

Avicca, FNCCR and InfraNum are therefore calling for a complete political support for digital technology.