The French copper network and ADSL internet are scheduled to be decommissioned by 2030. Some consumers have reported aggressive canvassing by unscrupulous companies. Here’s how best to deal with it.
“If you don’t switch to fiber next month, you’ll lose your internet connection!”
“You have to switch to fiber immediately, it’s the law!”
These aggressive messages and false allegations are becoming more commonplace.
ADSL decommissioning: how to deal with abusive canvassing
Since copper network decommissioning was announced, some companies have been using unscrupulous methods to hard-sell fiber subscriptions, sometimes pretending to be large companies or even government services, such as ARCEP.
While it’s true that new ADSL lines have not been commissioned since 2023, there is no obligation to change contracts immediately. Note that a telecom operator needs your permission to install a new fiber line in your home if you have not previously subscribed to a fiber service for internet access.
Don’t pay attention to alarmist messages to switch to fiber urgently because the copper (ADSL) lines for internet access will not be shut off overnight. Each operator will notify its customers in writing well in advance, according to legal notice periods.
As an infrastructure operator, Orange began trials to decommission its copper network in 2021. Outside of these trial areas, the first municipalities will be affected by a larger-scale copper phase-out from the end of 2024.
How do you recognize fraudulent emails?
Pay attention to detail – fraudulent canvassing comes with the following warning signs:
- A mistake or extra letter in the sender’s name
- An unusually long or unfamiliar email address
- Spelling mistakes in the body text
- A mobile phone number starting with 06 or 07 (in France)
- A low-quality company logo in the email.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s likely that the message is not from your internet service provider or a government agency. Do not respond to these requests.
If you’ve received aggressive sales messages, here’s how to report it in France
If you’ve received this type of communication, visit the Signal Conso platform, Signal Spam, or Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr sites to report it.
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Contact 33700 if you received a fraudulent SMS or phone call.
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Alert us by email at abuse@orange.fr if you’ve received a message pretending to be from Orange.
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Check the legitimacy of a site, link, email, or SMS that seems suspicious to you free of charge via the Orange Cybersecure portal, regardless of your operator, by copying and pasting it into https://cybersecurite.orange.fr.
If you have any doubts about your Orange subscription and the switch to fiber, contact us on 3900.
What is the copper network?
Also known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the copper network is the legacy telecommunications network in France owned by Orange (formerly France Télécom). Based on copper cables deployed throughout the country, this has historically provided fixed line telephony and internet services (ADSL, SDSL, VDSL). We’re now rolling out a fiber network across France to replace the copper network according to a defined deployment schedule.