The French government has announced an additional EUR 570 million worth of funds to extend the reach of FTTP connectivity in rural areas, of which EUR 420 million will be available immediately for public initiative network projects that had yet to be fully funded. The remaining EUR 150 million, to be allocated by summer, has been earmarked for initiatives to overcome current issues in fibre installations. This latest decision brings to EUR 3.57 billion the amount invested in the ongoing national fibre roll-out programme.
As part of the country's broadband strategy, French president Emmanuel Macron has committed to achieving full FTTP coverage by 2025. More than ten geographical areas will benefit from these additional funds, which will support new phases of investment in departments including Aude (EUR 9.5 million), Auvergne (EUR 123 million), Bretagne (EUR 150 million), Cher (EUR 16 million), Dordogne (EUR 45 million), Doubs (EUR 5 million), Haute-Savoie (EUR 15 million), Indre (EUR 20 million), Manche (EUR 46.3 million), Sarthe (EUR 6.5 million), and Seine-et-Marne (EUR 6.5 million).
Alongside this announcement, the government has also pledged to invest EUR 250 million on digital inclusion projects and EUR 88 million to help local authorities in their digital transformation.
