The word “télécommunication” comes from the Greek prefix “tele,” meaning “far,” and the Latin “communicare,” meaning “to share.” The term “telecommunication” was first used in 1904 by Edouard Estaunié, a French novelist and engineer, in his “Practical Treatise on Electrical Telecommunications.”
Telecommunications in France has a rich and complex history, dating back to the early 18th century. The development of this sector has played a key role in the transformation of the country, both socially and economically. From the first optical telegraphs to modern digital networks, French telecommunications has come a long way, which we will explore in this article.
Origins of Chappe’s Telegraph
Claude Chappe’s optical telegraph was the first modern telecommunications system that allowed information to be transmitted quickly over long distances using visual signals. How did this innovative system work? The optical telegraph system consisted of a series of towers spaced at distances that allowed them to see each other, usually every 10-15 kilometers, depending on the terrain. At the top of each tower was a mast equipped with movable arms called semaphores.
The components of a telegraph tower were the mast (the boom – the main vertical beam on which the movable arms were placed), the movable arms (the semaphore two arms attached to the mast, which could be placed in different positions, and each arm could assume one of seven positions), the crossbar (the horizontal beam on top of the mast, which could be rotated and placed in four different positions). The mechanism of operation involved first encoding the message so that each combination of arm and crossbar settings represented a different letter, number or symbol. Chappe’s system had 196 different signals, allowing complex messages to be transmitted. Next came the transmission of the signal – an operator on a single tower placed the arms and crossbar in the correct position, creating a specific signal. The next step was the reception of the signal, during which the operator on the next tower observed the positioning of the arms and crossbar through a telescope or with the naked eye if the distance was short. The operator on that tower then repeated the signal, positioning his arms in the same configuration. This process was repeated from tower to tower until the signal reached the final receiver.
Advantages and limitations
First of all, the optical telegraph was the first invention that allowed messages to be sent much faster than traditional methods such as courier mail. In addition, the signals were harder for unwanted people to intercept, especially compared to written messages. And most importantly, the system could cover long distances thanks to a network of towers.
The system, however, also had limitations. The main one was the weather, since the proper functioning of the optical telegraph depended on good visibility. Bad weather, fog, rain or snow, could interfere with transmission. Another constraint was the terrain. Towers had to be placed in such a way as to have mutual visibility, which was difficult in mountainous terrain. Moreover, building and maintaining a network of towers was expensive and required constant maintenance.
Chappe’s optical telegraph was a groundbreaking invention that significantly contributed to the development of telecommunications in France. The system made it possible to transmit messages quickly, which was crucial for government, military and trade. Despite its limitations, the optical telegraph was an important step toward modern communication systems, preparing the ground for future innovations such as electric telegraphy and telephony.
The origins of electric telegraphy
A key event in the history of telecommunications in France was the launch of the first telegraph line, which connected Paris to Rounen in 1845. This initiated the development of French electric telegraphy.
In the late 1930s. and early 1840s. The development of electric telegraphy in the United States, sparked by the invention of Samuel Mors, who demonstrated his electric telegraph in 1844, attracted the attention of many European countries, including France. The French were already familiar with the concept of telegraphy through Claude Chappe’s optical telegram, which had been in use since the late 18th century. Electric telegraphy, however, promised much greater speed and efficiency in the transmission of messages. In 1845, the French government decided to establish the first telegraph line, which was planned to connect Paris, the country’s capital, with Rouen, an important center for both industry and commerce. The line reached a length of about one hundred and thirty kilometers.
The first telegraph line in France was based on technology similar to that developed by Samuel Morse. The system consisted of telegraph keys, or transmitting apparatuses, which gave operators the ability to transmit signals in the form of electrical impulses, as well as telegraph wires, whose lines were designed to carry electric current. They were placed on telegraph poles along the route between Paris and Rouen. Telegraph lines also included telegraph recorders, or receiving devices, which received and recorded signals on paper tape in the form of dots and dashes according to Morse code.
How did the mechanism work in practice? When sending a message, the operator pressed the telegraph key, which closed the electrical circuit and generated an electrical impulse, which in turn was transmitted through telegraph wires to Rouen, where an electromagnet in the telegraph recorder received the signal and recorded it on paper tape.
The first telegraph line in France was of great importance for the development of telecommunications in the country. It provided the opportunity for the rapid reliable transmission of information over very long distances, which had numerous administrative, commercial, industrial and transportation benefits, among others. It was a milestone in the history of telecommunications, opening up new possibilities and laying the foundation for modern telecommunications systems. The very great success of the first line inspired further development of the telegraph network in France. Over the next few years, more lines were established, connecting Paris with other major cities such as Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux. The telegraph network grew rapidly, covering larger and larger areas of the country and contributing to the economy and government.
Development of telephony
The 20th century brought rapid development of telecommunications in France. In the 1920s. i 30. In the 1920s, radiocommunication was introduced, making it possible to transmit voice over long distances without the need for wires. World War II was followed by further expansion of telephone networks.
Telecommunications in France until the 1960s. The 1960s was at a very low level. Most provinces had manual telephone exchanges, and it was virtually impossible to get a new telephone line, for example, for newlyweds, without a two-year waiting list. In 1973, there were 8 million lines in the public sector, but the quality of service was very poor. The situation changed with the introduction of Minitel.
By 1980, the French telecommunications network had been upgraded to modern standards, and most users had received the telephone sets they had been waiting for for a long time. Full automatic dialing had been in operation since 1978, and the number of main lines in the country was 25 million. Most long-distance lines were completely digital, and about 50 percent of subscribers had access to full digital services within days or weeks, a percentage that was soon to exceed 90 percent.
A landmark decision was made by President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1974, which identified the modernization of France’s telephone network as an important national priority, but nevertheless the goal wanted to be achieved without a heavy burden on the state budget. This was successfully accomplished.
The system had some drawbacks. Telecommunications services were state-owned and served the public. While they were satisfactory in the new competitive international environment, profits were high enough to be a temptation when the state budget needed additional revenue. Since 1983, the treasury has taken a large share of these revenues, limiting the possibilities for reinvestment. Another drawback was the pricing structure applied by the state administration, which undermined the competitiveness of the telecommunications system in many sectors where the technical capabilities of the network were insurmountable.
In 1988, France Télécom, the national telecommunications operator, was established and took over management of the telecommunications network. In 1997, France Télécom was privatized, which initiated the liberalization of the telecommunications market in France.
The beginning of more revolutions took place in 1992, when the first GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network was launched in France. This was a landmark moment that revolutionized the mobile market, enabling mobility and access to telephone services anywhere. This event opened the door for future innovations in mobile technology.
Another key milestone was the launch of the first Internet access service by France Télécom in 1995. This was a landmark event not only for France, but also for the whole world, as it enabled mass access to the global network by average users, the Internet became an integral part of everyday life, affecting communication, education, commerce and many other fields.
Digital development has not only changed the way people live and work, but has also contributed to economic development. France Télécom, a major player in France’s telecommunications market, has played a key role in this process. The company has expanded its offerings to include modern voice, data and cable TV services, providing comprehensive solutions for residential and business customers.
In 1997, the French government decided to partially privatize France Télécom, offering a 20 percent stake to the public. This decision enabled the company to grow faster and adapt to changing market conditions. Over the ensuing years, France Télécom engaged in a series of sales and acquisitions to increase its presence in global markets.
In 2004, the French government reduced its stake in France Télécom, allowing the company to once again become a private company. France Télécom continued its expansion into international markets, gradually integrating its various subsidiaries and brands under one unified name, Orange. This merger greatly increased the company’s international visibility and effectiveness.
In the 21st century, France Télécom, operating under the Orange brand, became the leading mobile service provider in France and a major player in the UK and global markets. The company not only met the communication needs of millions of people, but also supported the development of digital technologies and innovative solutions in telecommunications.
Entering the digital age at the turn of the 20th century has created new opportunities and challenges for the telecommunications sector in France. France Télécom has played a key role in transforming the sector, introducing innovations and cutting-edge technologies that have had a huge impact on people’s daily lives and the country’s economic development.
Minitel
Minitel was a video service available over telephone lines and was the most popular online service in the world before the World Wide Web was created. It was invented in Cesson-Sévigné, near Rennes, Brittany, France.
The Minitel service was introduced experimentally on July 15, 1980 in Saint-Malo, and in other regions of France from the fall. It was commercially available nationwide from 1982, thanks to PTT (Postes, Télégraphes et Téléphones, split since 1991 into France Télécom and La Poste). From the very beginning, users were able to make online purchases, book train tickets, use business information services, search the phone book, have a mailbox and chat, just like on the Internet today.
In February 2009, France Télécom reported that the Minitel network still had 10 million calls per month. The service was eventually phased out on June 30, 2012.
Deregulation and competition
Despite these problems, an experimental method of deregulation was used, introducing competition in four major areas. In 1987, a tender was issued for the operation of a national radio telephone system. The winning consortium was formed by Compagnie Générale des Eaux, and the NMT system supplied by Nokia and Alcatel was to cover the entire country by 1991. The French broadcasting company began selling a system based on RDS technology. In 1987, a decree was issued allowing private companies to provide telecommunications services through leased lines from DGT (Direction Générale du Travail). A new telecommunications law in 1986 ended DGT’s monopoly in the cable sector, opening the market to private operators.
Telecommunications companies across Europe, having looked up to their counterparts in the United States, realized that selling services, not telecommunications infrastructure, was their main focus. Most of the telecommunications infrastructure came under the ownership or management of companies specializing in these areas, which provided an opportunity for new networks that no longer had to build their own infrastructure, but instead used existing ones.
Today, French mobile networks Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile are key players in the French telecommunications market, providing a wide range of services to consumers. Each of these networks offers a variety of subscription plans, service packages and access to advanced mobile technologies such as 4G and 5G. The development of broadband, 4G and 5G technologies and the growing popularity of Voice over IP (VoIP) services have significantly affected the way we communicate in France.
SFR is one of France’s leading mobile networks, playing an important role in the telecommunications market since its inception in 1987. Now part of the Altice Group, SFR offers a wide range of telecommunications services, including mobile telephony, mobile broadband, and fixed-line services for residential and business customers. SFR has played a key role in the development of the French telecommunications market with innovations and new technologies. The network continues to invest in expanding its infrastructure, including 5G networks, to meet the growing needs of mobile users. SFR is one of the major telecom operators in France, ranking second in size in the mobile market after Orange. The company holds about 30% of France’s telecommunications market share, making it a key player in a competitive market. SFR continues to develop and expand its business, aiming to provide modern telecommunications services to its customers. The company is also seeking to expand its service offerings, including by expanding its 5G network to enable users to access the latest technology.
Bouygues Telecom is one of the leading mobile networks in France, offering a wide range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers. The company is known for its innovation and high quality services, playing an important role in the competitive telecommunications market. Bouygues Telecom was founded in 1994 and is part of the Bouygues Group, one of France’s largest construction and media conglomerates. Since its inception, the company has focused on offering modern telecommunications services, starting with mobile telephony. Bouygues Telecom is considered a pioneer in introducing innovative telecommunications solutions in France. The company is actively investing in the development of its network, including the expansion of its 5G network, to provide its customers with access to the latest technologies. Bouygues Telecom ranks third in terms of size in France’s mobile market, after Orange and SFR. The company has about 25% of the telecom market share, making it an important player in a competitive market. Bouygues Telecom is continuing to expand its business and is working to develop its service offerings to meet the growing needs of its customers. The company plans to continue investing in the development of network infrastructure to enable fast and reliable Internet access and modern telecommunications services. Bouygues Telecom is a key player in France’s telecommunications market, offering advanced telecommunications services to a wide range of customers. The company has earned a reputation for innovation, high-quality services and a commitment to the development of new technologies, which has enabled it to gain and maintain a strong position in a competitive market.
Free Mobile is a relatively new player in the French telecommunications market, which has quickly gained recognition for its innovative services, competitive pricing and aggressive marketing strategy. Free Mobile was founded in 2009 by Xavier Niel, a French entrepreneur and founder of Free SAS, a well-known Internet and telecommunications services company. Free Mobile made its debut in the French telecommunications market in 2012, offering cell phone services. Free Mobile is considered a pioneer in pricing changes and tariff policies in the telecommunications market in France. The company has introduced many innovative solutions to the French market, including. Free Mobile revolutionized the market by introducing unlimited data bundles for its customers, resulting in a significant price drop in the market. It offers some of the lowest prices on the market, which has effectively changed the pricing model in the telecommunications industry in France. Since its debut, Free Mobile has gained significant popularity and captured about 20% of the telecommunications market share in France. The company ranks third in terms of subscribers, behind only Orange and SFR. Free Mobile continues its expansion in the market and seeks to develop its service offerings to meet growing customer expectations. The company plans to continue investing in the development of its infrastructure, including the expansion of its 5G network, to provide its customers with fast and reliable Internet access and modern telecommunications services.
The history of telecommunications in France is rich and full of innovations that have had a huge impact on the country’s development. From Chappe’s telegraph to modern 5G networks, French telecommunications is constantly evolving, adapting to the changing needs of society.
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