PARIS -- When announcing its annual results for 2006, the Neuf Cegetel group outlines its FTTx fibre-optics-based strategy for broadband access and its mass market FTTx offer, available from April 2007 in Paris.

Neuf Cegetel has pioneered fibre optics developments in France since 1998 through a vast nationwide fibre network, investing €2.8 billion on laying 45,000 km of cable, building metropolitan loops in major French cities, and connecting operator and enterprise sites (around 4,000 to date). Fibre-optics networks bring Neuf Cegetel full independence from France’s incumbent operator to connect its customers with unlimited bandwidth and maximum end-to-end quality of service.

Consistent with this approach, Neuf Cegetel began to rollout a mass market fibre optics programme in late 2006.

One million homes passed by end of 2009

Neuf Cegetel plans one million homes passed by the end of 2009, and to connect a total of 250,000 customers. Coverage areas will include Paris and its suburbs, districts of other major cities, and other areas selected on the basis of rollout costs and opportunities to increase market share. The target might be raised if investments can be mutualized with other partner operators.

The programme cost, split over 2007, 2008 and 2009, will be around €300 million. The average cost per customer (including infrastructure through to the home, plus connection) is expected to be around €1,200. This optimized cost reflects the group’s experience and pragmatic technological approach. Neuf Cegetel will mainly be offering all-fibre connection based on FTTH technology ; it will also offer FTTB connection using the existing copper cable and T-plugs already installed, as it is a more rapid and less invasive process, without work at customers' homes.

Neuf Cegetel Group