Fibre internet: Scammers exploit copper line phase-out in France

French telecoms giant Orange has warned that scammers are using the phasing out of copper telephone lines as an excuse to force people into expensive, unnecessary or false fibre-optic contracts.

Orange and the government announced plans to get rid of copper telephone lines and use only fibre-optic lines or fast mobile phone connections in 2022, with a 2030 completion date.

The company promised all its customers would have an alternative for telephones or computers before their copper lines were cut.

However, it says some con artists are using the phasing out of copper to push sign-ups of fibre-optic contracts, often with significant price increases, before they have to make a switch.

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Scam alert

“Since the announcement of the end of the copper network, some companies have not hesitated to use unscrupulous methods to sell fibre-optic contracts, including copying the logos of major telecoms companies and even of state bodies such as [national telecoms regulator] Arcep,” a statement from Orange warned.

“It is true that ADSL has not been offered in some regions when people want to open new lines, (but) there is no need to change a contract immediately.”

It added: “Do not be taken in by an urgent and alarming sales pitch.

“The loss of access to the internet over the copper network will not happen overnight. Each operator will send out letters to clients when it is due to happen, well in advance and according to time scales which have been agreed by the authorities.”

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Fibre-optic upgrade

Copper is used for fixed telephone lines and internet access through ADSL modems, which are much slower than modems used for fibre-optic connections.

Trials to determine the best way of removing the copper network have been held in selected departments, such as Charente-Maritime.

They are set to continue to 2025, and a full national phasing out of copper wires, associated telephone posts and connecting boxes is due to start in 2026. 

Orange said some communes will have their copper network cut completely from the start of 2025. 

In the past year, Orange and other network providers have accelerated the transition to fibre-optic cabling in rural areas.

Arcep said in June that 80% of households had access to fibre-optic cables in 2023 – up from 70% in 2022 – and that the installation of networks to cover the remaining 20%, mainly in remote rural areas, was continuing.

One major reason for phasing out the copper network is financial – it costs €500million a year to run.

Copper telephone wires and associated equipment are also more fragile than fibre-optic cables, being more likely to be affected by lightning and rain.

There is also an environmental factor; fibre-optic lines consume on average less than 10kWh of electricity, compared to copper lines, which use 34 kWh, according to Arcep.

Mobile phone lines consume an average of 30 kWh.

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How to spot a fake offer

Orange said contact from scammers can usually be identified by a slight spelling mistake in the name of the operator, email addresses that are unfamiliar or longer than usual, spelling mistakes in the email, telephone calls from mobile numbers (starting with 06 or 07) instead of a fixed line, and slightly fuzzy logos on emails.

People who receive emails, messages or telephone calls from companies insisting on a switch to fibre can alert authorities through either the Signal Conso website, the Signal Spam website (signal-spam.fr) or cybermalveillance.gouv.fr/.

Contact by SMS or telephone can also be reported via the number 33700. 

Where you suspect someone is falsely claiming to act on behalf of Orange, you can send details by email to abuse@orange.fr.

The company also offers a free service to evaluate the legitimacy of a website, link, email or SMS at cybersecurite.orange.fr