Deployed in the 1970s, dial-up telephone network (PSTN) technology is still used today by a large number of French people, anxious to maintain a "good old classic telephone line". However, according to Orange, this same RTC technology is no longer able to meet the new needs, which is why the French operator will modernise its fixed telephony network in France … By removing the RTC.

The end of RTC technology

Please note, however, that this does not in any way mean the complete shutdown of fixed telephony in France. In reality, it is the PSTN that will gradually shut down, giving way to IP technology (for Internet Protocol). The latter has become a global standard, and every French will soon be able to rely on this technology to place their telephone calls via a fixed line, without having to subscribe to any Internet offer.

Orange specifies that the announcement of the areas chosen to switch to 100% IP is made 5 years in advance. Also, the municipalities affected by the closures of the first RTC zones at the end of 2023 and at the end of 2024, were announced at the end of 2018 and at the end of 2019, respectively. The aim is to remove the RTC technology and the direct connection of your phone to the "T" wall plug, by means of a fixed box that will be added between the telephone plug and the phone.

If for the majority of French, change is quite distant, for others it is imminent. In order to anticipate the changes linked to the technical shutdown of the RTC access, Orange has chosen a representative area comprising six communes in Southern Finistère (Concarneau, Rosporden, Melgven, Elliant, Saint-Yvi, Tourch) and a commune in Ile-de-France (Osny). If you live in one of these cities, on October 15, 2021, the RTC technology will stop throughout the territory of your municipality, regardless of the telecommunications operator.

Thus, in order to continue to benefit from your fixed telephony service (and your possible Internet service using your conventional fixed line), without interruption of service, it is essential to contact your operator and choose from now an offer adapted to your needs on the new IP technology. Now you're warned.