The issue of router freedom in France has been a long-standing topic of discussion on Orange forums, where fiber subscribers have sought the ability to use their own routers instead of the default Livebox provided by the operator. These users often request an external ONT (Optical Network Terminal) box, citing European regulations on net neutrality. However, customer service responses have typically been brief, emphasizing that the ONT integrated into the Livebox ensures optimal speed and that no alternatives are available. This situation is not unique to France, as similar experiences have been reported in cities like Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, and Brussels, where users have been able to quickly set up their own routers, such as the FRITZ!Box, with minimal effort. At the heart of the issue is the definition of the "network termination point," the exact location where the operator’s network ends and the subscriber’s equipment begins. According to European Regulation 2015/2120 on net neutrality, users have the right to choose their terminal equipment. However, this depends on where the termination point is defined. In 2020, BEREC, the European body that coordinates national regulators, identified three possible positions for this point: A, at the wall socket; B, at the modem; and C, at the router. If the termination point is at the wall socket (position A), users have full control over their equipment. If it’s at the router (position C), the router is considered part of the network, limiting user choice. BEREC concluded that for fixed networks, there is no "objective technological necessity" to place the termination point beyond position A, but the decision was left to national regulators. Several European countries have already moved toward allowing greater router freedom. Finland led the way in 2014, followed by Germany in 2016, which ended the "Routerzwang" (router constraint) after a decade of advocacy by organizations like the Free Software Foundation Europe. Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium have also adopted similar policies in recent years. In these countries, users can choose whether to use their own router or the operator’s, with Germany showing that no network issues have arisen from third-party devices. In France, however, no formal regulations have been written, and the regulator, Arcep, has not made a decision on the termination point, despite repeated requests from consumer groups and manufacturers. The absence of clear regulations in France has allowed operators to maintain control over the equipment used by subscribers. Free, for example, allows users to use their own router through a "bridge mode," while Bouygues and SFR also provide options for external ONTs. However, Orange has integrated the ONT directly into the Livebox since the Livebox 5, making it more difficult for users to switch to a third-party router. This lack of standardization means that users must often request external ONT and SIP identifiers to use their own equipment, and support for these setups is not always provided by the operators. The benefits of router freedom for subscribers include the ability to retain their preferred router when switching providers, greater control over device updates, and environmental advantages from using a single long-lasting device. For manufacturers, this represents a market that has yet to take off in France, while operators face real costs associated with providing alternative equipment. With the European Digital Networks Act in preparation, the question of harmonizing the network termination point across the EU may soon be addressed. If the European Union sets a precedent, France may be forced to follow suit. Until then, the decision on router freedom remains in the hands of Arcep, with no clear direction or regulation to guide it.