The French Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ART) launches a public consultation

Paris, 15 October 1997

The French Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ART) launched a public consultation today on access conditions to submarine cables. The public consultation document sets out the rights enjoyed by and the obligations incumbent upon France Télécom as investor in the existing systems.

With only a few weeks remaining before 1st January 1998, when the telecommunications sector opens up to full competition, the question is of foremost importance, particularly as:

- almost 40 % of international traffic to and from France is routed via submarine cable;

- the role played by submarine cables is increasing, notably due to the surge in Internet traffic towards North America, the United Kingdom and Asia.

ART thus decided to launch this public consultation, to ensure transparency and involve the sector in discussions on the subject.

In the consultation document ART explains the guiding principles behind its actions in the domain of international services:

- to guarantee free competition in the international services market in France;