France: broadband access

France: 95% of the French population has a broadband internet access, but 10,000 rural communities are still missing broadband access. Neither France Telecom nor alternative carriers are rushing to fill the gap, so communities are turning towards WiMAX. Already three departments have installed WiMAX systems and provide broadband access to everybody within the region. Altitude Telecom provides the service. The government aims to develop the technology and pushes to accelerate both granting of local licenses (by the end of the year) and network deployment.