France is one of the top Western European nations in number of broadband subscribers, with over 21 million at the beginning of 2011, and French consumers are seeking high-speed connections and Wi-Fi connectivity within their homes.

DSL is the dominant access technology in a highly competitive broadband market, with incumbent telco France Telecom, under the Orange brand, leading in broadband market share. Iliad and mobile operator SFR have grown to become important players in the broadband market, each with approximately half as many fixed broadband subscribers as France Telecom. Cable lines only reach about 40% of French homes, and cable operator Numéricâble is a distant fourth in fixed broadband market share. Fiber-based offerings are growing, particularly in Paris and the surrounding area. In addition to its cable network, Numéricâble is a leading player in the FTTx market with over three-fourths of France's fibre-based subscriptions, offering fiber to the building but coax the last few feet into the home.

DTT is the primary driver of television's digitization in France. Eighty-six percent of French households were able to receive digital TV service by mid-2010, and eight pay-DTT channels and several free local DTT channels are available in the nation. Numéricâble is the dominant cable provider in France. CanalSat is the leading DTH provider, with competition from Bis, TNT Sat, FRANSAT, and Orange satellite services.

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