Fiber Optics: Bouygues Telecom Chasing 8 Gbit/s Generalization, Free Takes the Lead

France - Ekhbary News Agency

Fiber Optics: Bouygues Telecom Chasing 8 Gbit/s Generalization, Free Takes the Lead

As the French ultra-high-speed internet market intensifies, Bouygues Telecom proudly positions its Bbox Ultym offer with speeds reaching up to 8 Gbit/s, an impressive equivalent of approximately 1 gigabyte per second for downloads. On paper, this promise of ultra-fast connectivity is alluring. However, a deeper analysis reveals a more nuanced and complex reality for the operator, which finds itself in a race against time to catch up with its competitor Free, a pioneer in the deployment of very high-speed fiber.

The major distinction lies in fundamental technological choices. Free, under the impetus of Xavier Niel, opted for a bold strategy from the outset by massively deploying 10G-EPON technology. This approach allowed it to offer 8 Gbit/s to over 40 million eligible outlets in France, with striking simplicity for the subscriber: if your home is connected to Free fiber and your box is compatible, you benefit from the maximum speed. This strategy has given Free a considerable psychological and technical advantage, positioning it as the undisputed leader in terms of "actually available" fiber speeds.

Bouygues Telecom, like Orange and SFR, has taken a different path. Its existing network is currently evolving towards the XGS-PON standard. This transition, although necessary to achieve 8 Gbit/s speeds, represents a heavy and costly hardware upgrade. It involves replacing cards in street cabinets and optical connection nodes, a large-scale logistical and technical operation. Benoît Torloting, the CEO of Bouygues Telecom, recently spoke on BFM TV, during the launch of new 5G solutions, to clarify the situation. He stated that the operator was already "very largely 8 gigabit-capable" in major urban areas, citing a figure of 90% of eligible outlets in large cities last January.

However, this assertion needs to be qualified. As one moves away from dense urban centers towards less populated areas or Public Initiative Networks (RIPs), the situation becomes drastically more complex. In these areas, speeds are often capped at 2 Gbit/s, far from the promised 8 Gbit/s. This "geographic lottery" leaves consumers uncertain about their actual eligibility for the highest speeds. Transitioning from 2 to 8 Gbit/s is not a simple software update; it requires physical equipment capable of managing these massive data flows, entailing continuous investments and progressive deployment.

The performance gap is significant: theoretically, a 100 GB file would download in less than two minutes at 8 Gbit/s, compared to nearly seven minutes at 2 Gbit/s. A notable difference for bandwidth-intensive uses, such as gaming, 4K/8K streaming, or intensive remote work with large data transfers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that these figures are theoretical and depend on a multitude of factors, including the performance of remote servers and the internal configuration of the user's home network.

Bouygues Telecom assures that the generalization of 8 Gbit/s will occur "rapidly," a term which, in the context of infrastructure, can extend. Current projections indicate a deployment schedule that could stretch until the end of 2026. This delay highlights the magnitude of the technical and financial challenge for the operator. In parallel, Bouygues is not solely relying on raw speed. The brand recently unveiled its new Bbox 5G, compatible with Wi-Fi 7, integrating a 4G/5G backup modem and a TV decoder enhanced with artificial intelligence to personalize recommendations. This strategy aims to offer an improved overall user experience, beyond just fiber performance.

In conclusion, while Bouygues Telecom displays legitimate ambitions for 8 Gbit/s fiber, the road to homogeneous generalization remains fraught with obstacles. Competition, particularly from Free with its technological lead and simplicity of offering, forces the operator to accelerate its investments and deployment. For the consumer, caution is advised: it is essential to verify the actual eligibility of their home and the underlying technology before subscribing, to avoid disappointment with speed promises that can vary considerably from one address to another. The French fiber market remains dynamic, but the battle for very high speeds is far from won equally for all players.

Ekhbary News Agency