BRUSSELS - France will shortly call on telecoms operators to offer broadband services across all its territory for a maximum of 35 euros ($45.15) a month, a government minister said on Thursday.
This would make France the first country in the European Union to effectively mandate the supply of broadband services.
It signals a retreat by France from its informal campaign to include broadband in EU rules for operators that are designated universal service providers.
A universal service provider can obtain public aid in return for ensuring that a range of basic services is available in thinly populated areas, and not just big cities.
Eric Besson, a junior French minister of state, said there was no consensus among EU states for making broadband mandatory in EU universal service rules.
As EU president, France was launching a debate on how to make broadband more widely available but this could take time to reach a conclusion.
With no consensus on broadband in universal services among EU states, France will take steps on its own turf.
This would make France the first country in the European Union to effectively mandate the supply of broadband services.
It signals a retreat by France from its informal campaign to include broadband in EU rules for operators that are designated universal service providers.
A universal service provider can obtain public aid in return for ensuring that a range of basic services is available in thinly populated areas, and not just big cities.
Eric Besson, a junior French minister of state, said there was no consensus among EU states for making broadband mandatory in EU universal service rules.
As EU president, France was launching a debate on how to make broadband more widely available but this could take time to reach a conclusion.
With no consensus on broadband in universal services among EU states, France will take steps on its own turf.
