Our causes

Arcep was created 20 years ago to open the telecoms market up to competition.
Since then, its purpose and responsibilities have evolved a great deal over time: postal regulation in 2005, review of Europe’s telecoms framework in 2011 and 2018, net neutrality and the Digital Republic Act in 2016, regional digital development in 2018 and the Law on modernising print media distribution in 2019… no fewer than six new laws since 2004!

As a result, Arcep wanted to redefine and initiate a new phase in how it performs its duties, in tune with our digital age. In June 2015, Arcep launched its strategic review, “Taking a 360° view”. The process lasted six months, and was committed to being open, transparent and participatory. Once complete, Arcep adopted its mission statement, a short document that defined its core raison-d’être, and its strategic roadmap: 12 priorities, four pillars and three new methods of regulation.

• Arcep Manifesto

Since the adoption of this strategic roadmap in January 2016, Arcep publishes regular progress reports on the 12 priority courses of action.

• The latest progress report on the strategic review’s priorities  (June 2017)

Connected SMEs

Stimulate the development of a universal fibre network architecture that enables the emergence of a fibre mass market for small and medium enterprises.

Optical fibre

Encourage investments in and the transition to optical fibre, particularly through the way copper pair access (LLU) is priced.

Net neutrality

Create a survey programme and implement the regular collection of detailed information from operators.

Coverage maps

Enhance mobile coverage data and make them publicly available, to provide a more accurate representation of the user experience.

Consumer complaint platform

Open a platform that allows consumers and businesses to report any problems they encounter.

The Internet of Things

Ensure the availability of scarce resources (numbering, IP addresses, network codes, access to spectrum, etc.) to enable the emergence of IoT networks and smart cities and regions.

Experimentation

Introduce provisions in support of trials and experimentation into the regulatory framework.

Mobile

Promote relevant mobile infrastructure sharing schemes, to bolster coverage and connection speeds (rural areas, the metro, etc.)

Collective intelligence

Initiate a wiki-based approach to the work performed by the GRACO discussion forum between ARCEP, local authorities and operators.

Open devices

Analyse users’ ability to access and contribute to the different content and applications available on the Internet, regardless of the device they use.

Crowdsourcing

Form partnerships and, when necessary, create crowdsourcing tools to enhance the data available on network quality and coverage.