13 Jun Why France is “Mobile-Azing” in 10 Points
France is one of the big players for e-commerce in the world, with a double digit annual growth rate since 2009. Moreover, with a 17% of turnover growth between 2014 and 2015, the share of m-commerce in France has increased to reach 23,6% of total online sales.
N°1 – A MOBILE TECHNOLOGY & HIGH-END ICT HUB
In 2014, “Software and IT Services” was the leading sector for foreign investments in France, with 2,847 jobs created and 114 projects initiated over the course of the year. (Business France, 2014 report)
N°2 – E-COMMERCE: LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES
France is among the six leading countries in the world for online sales. With a turnover just shy of £45 billion in 2014, e-commerce in France has steadily grown with an 18% average annual growth rate in the sector between 2009 and 2014. (FEVAD, 2014)
N°3 – INTERNET BROADBAND: ON TOP
In France, the internet broadband (high-speed internet access) penetration rate reached its highest in June 2015 with 39,7%, up by 2.8% compared to June 2014. France is ranked 4th worldwide, ahead of other major European countries such as the UK (37,4%), Germany (36,6%) and the US (32,1%). (OECD, June 2015)
N°4 – MOBILE INTERNET: ALWAYS MORE
In 2015, France has seen its mobile internet penetration rate reach its highest with 109,2%, as well as the number of SIM Card subscriptions which is now over 72 million (excl. machine to machine).(ARCEP, 2015)
N°5 – MASSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENTS
In France, total electronic communication investments (3G, 4G, fibre optic technology, etc.) nearly reached the £5.5 billion mark for the year 2014. (ARCEP, 2015)
N°6 – 3G & 4G COVERAGE: ORANGE (EE) IN THE LEAD
As of July 2015, the four French major mobile players (SFR, Orange (EE), Bouygues and Free) have a 3G coverage of at least 97% of the population (with SFR and Orange on top with 99%). As for the 4G, Orange leads the coverage (with 78% of the population and 28% of the territory) over Bouygues not far behind. (ARCEP, 2015)
N°7 – 4G TECHNOLOGY: A FAST LEARNER
Since the possibility to upgrade to the 4G, France has been one of the pioneers in Europe with a growth of 100% of 4G users between Q4 2014 and Q4 2015, impressive results which makes France the second best country in the old continent. (ARCEP, 2015)
N°8 – FREE WIFI: ON TOP OF THE WORLD
France has more public Wi-Fi hotspots – over 13 million – than the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany combined and around 30% more than the US, second in the ranking. (Ipass, December 2014)
N°9 – VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY: THE FRENCH EXPERTISE
France is the second largest video games provider in the world, behind the United-States, thanks to a market rebound since 2014 (3% growth rate in 2014 and 8% expected growth rate in 2015), as well as the supremacy of French companies (Ubisoft, Gameloft and Ankama), part of the world’s largest publishers. (French Agency for Video Games (AFJV) June 2015)
N°10 – HORIZON 2022: HIGH SPEED INTERNET PLAN
France is fully aware of the fast-growing sphere that is the internet. Thus, to ensure a very high-speed internet coverage for the entire population by 2022, France has dedicated a £15 billion envelope with a primary focus on fibre-optic connections.