2023-10-06 15:42:43
Until now, the prices of fixed packages had been protected from inflation. lamaip – stock.adobe.com
These packages see their price increase by 1.20 euros over one year, on average, according to the regulator.
The operators had announced the color. The potion is no less bitter for customers. Already notable in mobile plans, inflation in the price of internet access is extending to landlines. This is in any case the conclusion of the quarterly study by Arcep, which noted in its latest publication carried out Thursday evening the increase of 2% on average in the price of access to high and very high speed. Unheard of for at least more than ten years, Arcep estimates. « The average bill for users of these services therefore increases by 1.20 euro in one year to rise to 34.50 euros excluding VAT per month, due to price increases occurring on the market »underlines the telecoms regulator.
Also read: Are telephone plans really cheaper in France than in Europe?
An analysis which echoes the study released at the beginning of the month by panelist Zone ADSL&Fibre, which also confirmed a significant increase in the price of internet boxes among all operators, with the notable exception of Free. This means 60 euros more per year at RED by SFR (the operator’s low cost offer), 18 euros more per year at Bouygues Telecom, + 16 euros per year at Orange, or + 12 euros on its low-cost Sosh offer. If SFR reduces the price of its boxes by 3% over one year, this effort is nevertheless largely offset by the 21.7% explosion of its RED by SFR box. « 2023 marks the end of low-cost boxes », underlines Zone ADSL&Fibre, which notes that entry-level boxes see their price increase by 4.87%. Overall, the study of the figures shows an increase in the price of internet boxes of 3.5% over one year.
France cheaper than its neighbors
However, these figures must be put into perspective. Until now, the prices of fixed packages (and mobile ones, moreover) had been protected from inflation. At the rate observed by Zone ADSL&Fibre, they are also below the average inflation observed in the country. Above all, the starting point for internet access prices is relatively low in France compared to its European neighbors. Due to the fierce competition between the four operators, and the arrival of Free, prices since 2013 have been kept under pressure.
But the increase in costs that operators themselves face, particularly for energy and equipment, has led them, with the exception of Free, to assume price increases. Its parent company of Free, Iliad, also indicated during its latest quarterly results that the company’s energy bill was at levels twice as high as the pre-crisis situation, despite the relaxation on the steps.
Obviously, the revenues they earn from fixed services increased over the quarter compared to last year, by 2%. However, it is difficult for these operators to push the cursor too high. A study carried out by Oliver Wyman in a handful of European countries reveals that more than one in two French people want to change operator and that 30% of them intend to turn to low-cost suppliers. Price remains the main driver of customer choice, well ahead of network reliability or additional services (banking, for example) that operators can offer.
Read also: Orange and Bouygues Telecom driven by their price increase strategy
Furthermore, operators must be careful not to hamper the recruitment dynamic on fiber, whose packages are more expensive than the ADSL equivalent. If the growth in the number of fiber subscriptions remained high, at +790,000 subscribers between the first quarter of 2023 and the second, growth slows down quite significantly compared to 2022, while France has a base of 16 .2 million premises not subscribed to optical fiber but can be connected. The subject is being taken seriously by the telecoms regulator in the context of the closure of the ADSL network, expected for 2030.
”
data-script=”
>
#mobile #price #fixed #line #internet #packages #rise