BROADBAND FOR ALL IN NIÈVRE REGION OF BURGUNDY!

Businesses and homes across the whole of the Nièvre region of Burgundy will soon be getting access to broadband and ultra-fast broadband. On 6 October 2006, the Niver-Lan local authority – formed from the Nièvre regional council and the Nevers city council – signed a public-private development agreement with Axione and ETDE (Bouygues Construction group) covering construction, commercialisation, operation and maintenance of a region-wide digital network. Under this arrangement, virtually the whole population of the Nièvre region will get broadband up to 50 times faster than from a classic ADSL connection. The 20-year public-private development will be managed by the concession-holder company NiverTel, founded by Axione and ETDE for this purpose. The contract covers an overall pre-tax investment of nearly 42 million euros.


Fast or ultra-fast internet access for close to 100% of Nièvre population
The NiverTel digital network will implement high-performance, scalable technologies, featuring over 500 kilometres of fibre optic lines, a DSL platform and a WiMax radio system, to afford near-100% broadband coverage across the Nièvre département, the population of which exceeds 225,000. NiverTel undertakes to provide datarates of at least 2 Mbps (Megabits per second) to close to 100% of businesses and homes. Over 70% of the département’s industrial estates will have fibre-optic hook-up exceeding 100 Mbps. As these ultra-fast broadband capabilities are phased in, users will enjoy access to all current and forthcoming services, such as triple play, i.e. simultaneous access to internet, telecommunications (phone, videoconferencing, etc.) and media (high-definition television, radio, etc.) via a single network. Once the new infrastructures have been built (within 22 months), national and local operators will be able to offer home and business users communication services comparable to those available in the French capital.

Major operator services, and innovative developments
Development of new information and communication technologies, facilitated by the rollout of high-performance broadband infrastructures, is a key challenge for regional economic development and competitive performance. NiverTel has scheduled a number of development initiatives to reap the fullest possible benefit from new broadband and ultra-fast broadband capabilities in the Nièvre region, with a view to stimulating business incubation, job creation and innovation. Specifically, NiverTel will be promoting the emergence of new usages and services in areas including education, healthcare, training and culture. By carrying services equivalent or superior to those available in the world’s major cities, the new broadband network will also be bringing local businesses closer to their clients, in France and worldwide.

Axione, expert in digital communication development
Axione is a subsidiary of ETDE (a Bouygues Construction subsidiary) specialising in the provision of broadband and ultra-fast broadband networks under public-private regional development schemes. It already manages seven such schemes for local authorities in various parts of France: Limousin, Pau, Quimper, Le Havre (Gonfreville l’Orcher), Maine-et-Loire, Sarthe and Loire. As one of France’s leading instigators of digital communication development, Axione provides over 3 million people in over 2,100 localities with broadband capabilities through fibre-optic lines measuring over 3,000 kilometres.

About ETDE:
A subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, ETDE is a full-line supplier and integrator of technological solutions and services, serving public and private clients in the energy, industry, service, transport, environment and telecommunications sectors.

It operates through four clearly structured, customer-oriented business areas: utility networks, electrical, mechanical and HVAC engineering, communication systems and facilities management.

ETDE provides its French and international clients with comprehensive solutions that encompass engineering, installation, maintenance and operation.

It relies on the expertise, commitment and responsiveness of its 9,500 staff members to deliver innovative solutions with added technological value. Backed by a network of 170 offices in France and a presence in 20 countries abroad, ETDE posted sales of €746 million in 2004 and expects to generate €1 billion in 2005.