Orange ordered to halt fiber project

The Competition Authority has ordered Orange to stop its fiber optic deployment project in five communes of Mayotte, citing concerns that it may abuse its dominant market position and threaten the financial stability of the public network managed by Mayotte THD. This decision, announced on October 21, adds a new layer to the ongoing debate over fiber deployment in the territory.

Orange’s project launched independently

Orange began its fiber optic project in March 2025 using its own funds, aiming to provide 27,771 connections by 2030. The company focused on densely populated and more profitable areas without consulting the Department-Region or Mayotte THD, raising concerns about potential "double deployment" that could conflict with the goals of the France Very High Speed plan.

Public network’s financial risks

According to Mayotte THD, the five communes affected by Orange’s project account for nearly 70% of the expected revenue for the public network. These funds are crucial for supporting infrastructure in less densely populated areas, where private investment is insufficient. The Competition Authority says Orange’s actions may constitute an abuse of its dominant position and risk the economic balance of the public service concession.

Ongoing dispute and public concerns

The dispute over fiber deployment had already drawn attention, with an arbitration expected by the State in March 2026. Emmanuel André, general director of Orange, had previously raised concerns about the future of the public service concession. In April 2026, a sit-in was held in front of Orange’s offices in Kawéni, where local associations criticized what they described as a forced move and called for reassurances about the funding of the public network.

Wholesale market and revenue loss

The Competition Authority points out that the public service concession has yet to secure any commercial operator to subscribe to its reference offer. Meanwhile, Orange OC and SRR, a subsidiary of SFR, have positioned themselves as Orange customers on the wholesale market. This has led to an estimated 60% loss of wholesale revenues for Mayotte THD, threatening the viability of the project, especially given uncertainty about potential state subsidies.

Impact of cyclone and network priorities

Following the Chido cyclone on December 14, 2024, Orange prioritized fiber deployment over the reconstruction of the copper network in Mayotte. This could have broader implications, as the weakening of the public network might hinder fiber deployment in twelve communes where Orange has not installed its own network. These communes represent about 42% of the population and businesses in Mayotte.

Risks to consumer access and infrastructure

The Competition Authority warns that the current situation could permanently deprive residents in the least densely populated areas of access to fiber-to-the-home (FttH) services. It also highlights the risk of an "anarchic deployment" of high-speed infrastructure in Mayotte, which could affect critical sectors like healthcare, education, and local business development.

Provisional measures and next steps

Orange has been ordered to halt its project and any commercial outreach on the wholesale market outside already deployed areas. The company must also submit regular reports on its deployments, the state of the copper network, and infrastructure to Arcep and the Department-Region of Mayotte. Orange must also ensure access to civil engineering infrastructure for high-speed networks controlled by Mayotte THD when needed.

Temporary suspension with possible revisions

The measures are currently provisional, pending the Authority’s final decision. Orange can request their revision or removal if the public network falls behind schedule, if an agreement is reached to deploy fiber across the entire territory, or if the public service concession is adjusted to account for already completed installations. For now, the goal is to preserve the funding of the public network and enable fiber deployment in all 17 communes of Mayotte.