France
All the latest key telecoms and digital infra insight, news and analysis from France.
Peoplewatch
Orange’s Javaid takes over as Group AI supremo
Steve Jarrett is vacating the Chief AI Officer role, although it’s not clear why, with Usman Javaid to fill the spot.
Partnerships & Alliances
Orange ties with French energy agency on AI networking
Operator kicks off five-year ‘semantic communications’ project with French government agency aimed at improving network efficiency, slashing energy costs, and laying the groundwork for AI-native networks.
Analyst Briefing
Francewatch: Telco trio forges SFR deal, but much work lies ahead
Analyst Briefing: France’s three leading telcos have signed an agreement to buy SFR; Orange has completed its MásOrange takeover; and a round-up of Orange’s stable Q1. Plus more in subsea infra, data centres, and AI networking…
Network & Infra
Spanish government green lights Telefónica-led Gigafactory bid
Spanish government gives the go-ahead for public-private venture that will lead European AI Gigafactory project. Private shareholders include Telefónica, ACS, and Santander.
Peoplewatch
France Peoplewatch: MásOrange CEO brought into ExCo fold; Utiq selects new chief
Latest senior and strategic people moves in the French telecoms and digital infra sectors, including a new CEO at telco adtech venture Utiq, MásOrange chief Meinrad Spenger joining the Orange Group Executive Committee, and Iliad CEO Thomas Reynaud retaining a seat on the Tele2 board.
M&A
Orange takes big steps forward on French, Spanish M&A
Orange has advanced its European M&A agenda, completing the full acquisition of MásOrange in Spain and moving forward a complex three-way deal to dismantle SFR in France. The competitive dynamics of both markets are being reshaped…
M&A
French telco trio finally secures €20.35bn deal to buy rival SFR
Following weeks of complex negotiations, Bouygues Telecom, Iliad, and Orange make a final push over the weekend and wrap up an agreement with SFR owner Altice France.
Network & Infra
Orange activates Via Tunisia system, continues subsea cable expansion
Operator’s Via Tunisia subsea cable enters ready-for-service mode, as it moves to strengthen connectivity between Europe and Africa. System also supports Orange’s data centre interconnection ambitions…
M&A
Eurofiber offloads French data centres amid hunt for scale
European connectivity provider moves to sell French data centre portfolio to ETIX, as it seeks to focus more on open access fibre and integrated digital infra services. ETIX to combine the sites into a “unified campus” in southern France, marking latest step in M&A-fuelled expansion…
Network & Infra
SoftBank picks France for €75bn mega-bet on European data centres
Japanese investment group unveils multi-billion euro programme to build out French data centre portfolio, amidst aggressive AI infra expansion in Europe and beyond. Investment among wave of digital infra projects that have emerged in and around recent Choose France Summit…
Strategy & Change
From danger zone to digital powerhouse: Kearney maps Europe’s path to telecom recovery
Analysis: Europe’s telecoms sector has built extensively but failed to monetise, risking stagnation without urgent structural intervention. Kearney’s comprehensive diagnostic guides on how regionalisation, network resilience, strategic private finance partnerships, and other remedies can revitalise the sector’s finances and the continent’s digital economy.