Editing Telecommunications in France (section)

== Mobile networks ==
France currently has 4 mobile networks, [[Orange S.A.|Orange]], [[SFR]], [[Bouygues Telecom]] and [[Free Mobile|Free]] all of which are licensed for UMTS. All except Free are also licensed for GSM. In 2016 Q3, Orange had 28.966&nbsp;million mobile phone customers, SFR had 14.577&nbsp;million, Bouygues had 12.660&nbsp;million, Free Mobile had 12.385&nbsp;million, and the MVNOs had 7.281&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.frandroid.com/telecom/390963_parts-de-marche-des-operateurs-orange-loin-devant-bouygues-qui-depasse-free-mobile Parts de marché des opérateurs : Orange loin devant Bouygues qui dépasse Free Mobile] – FrAndroid, 18 November 2016</ref>

Before the launch of Free Mobile in January 2012, the number of physical mobile phone operators was very limited. For example, [[Telecommunications in Sweden|Sweden]] currently has 4 licensed operators with their own networks despite a smaller and sparser population than France's, making improved coverage less economically rewarding. However, France has a number of [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNOs]] which increases competition.

However, [[Free Mobile]] obtained its licence in December 2009 and operates since January 2012.<ref name="ARCEP_20091217">{{Cite web | title= ARCEP accepts Free Mobile's application | url= http://www.arcep.fr/index.php?id=8571&L=1&tx_gsactualite_pi1%5Buid%5D=1234&cHash=b3b17bcaed | publisher = [[Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques, des Postes et de la Distribution de la Presse|ARCEP]] | date=18 December 2009 | access-date=10 January 2010 }}</ref>

In France, the satellite telecommunications system TELECOM 1 (TC1) will provide high-speed, broadband transfer of digital data between different sections of subscribing companies. Conventional telecommunications links between continental France and its overseas departments will also be supplied.