France Telecom SA finally launched the first phase of its ADSL internet access scheme last week, following the lifting of a regulatory ban on the service. In July watchdog lÆART ruled that the incumbent had to wait for its rivals to catch up technologically before launching the service to permit competition.
Netissimo, as the service will be known, will be sold as a standalone access product, or bundled with online services from internet service providers including France TelecomÆs own Wanadoo. The company will charge 40.40 euros ($42) per month for an always-on 512Kbps downstream, 128Kbps upstream connection, with an additional monthly 6.80 euro ($7) rental or one-off 303 euro ($315) purchase price for the ADSL modem. A 1Mbps line will cost 106 euros ($110) per month, including the modem rental. ‘Activation fees’ of 118 euros ($123) and 151 euros ($157) are also applicable.
Rival ISPs can resell the service in conjunction with their own branded services. France Telecom launched Friday Wanadoo ADSL, its high-bandwidth variant of the market-leading Wanadoo service, offering higher quality audio and video content and links. This will cost consumers a further 25 euros ($26) per month.
