No race for FTTH in France ?

While FT has launched first the idea to deploy a fiber-to-the-user network in France, and even starting trials in the Paris area, FT denies now it will participate in the race before the market is there, reasonably fed with abundant content, such as HDTV programming. For FT CEO, the content availability is the major problem, ahead of regulatory issues (remember FT took position not to open its future fiber network to competition against EU position). Are the two issues linked? Why not. FT seems optimistic to deploy its network very rapidly using its already-in-place optical infrastructure in case competitors start the race, giving it some flexibility in delaying the deployment. But previous FT announcement has made the effect of a red muleta on a bull: competitors have immediately reacted. Free has announced a $1bn plan to deploy its own infrastructure; Neuf Cegetel is said to prepare investments in small FTTH players, such as Citefibre in Paris area. Small or alternative operators need to be in the first to start to have a good chance to play a role in the market. In addition they will have a lot more trouble to deploy their network than FT. It is perhaps just FT' strategy to force its competitors shooting first.