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What to know about the end of RTC

Since November 15, 2018, the process of extinction of the good old RTC switched telephone network has been on the way.Better to be aware of what this historic tilting is not to risk, one day, not to be able to use your fixed phone.Explanation.

What is RTC?

Il s’agit du réseau téléphonique commuté (RTC), inventé à la fin du XIX^e siècle et déployé par France Télécom dans les années 1980pour faire face à l’augmentation du nombre de téléphones dans les foyers.You still use it if your landline phone is plugged into the wall plug of your accommodation (T -plug).

Why is RTC abandoned?

The RTC network became more and more complicated to maintain when it was used less and less.Orange (ex-France Telecom) therefore decided, with the agreement of the regulatory authority for electronic communications and posts (ARCEP), to switch all communications to IP, a more modern, simpler international protocoland more efficient.

Who will be impacted by the end of RTC?

Only subscribers whose fixed telephone is connected to the wall outlet or which have a classic line (for their fax, their protection system or other) are impacted, that is, some 6 million orange subscribers.The customers of the SFR “fixed line” service, who are also affected by this change, have already seen their equipment replaced, not without a few hiccups.Many companies will also have to put their equipment to standard.On the other hand, if your phone is already connected to a box, you will have nothing to change.

Does the end of RTC mean the disappearance of the copper wire?

Nope.Copper wire and taking T will not disappear with the end of RTC, but it will no longer be possible to connect a phone directly.The phone must be connected to a box, which itself will be connected to the wall outlet.The copper wire will end up being made inactive, but it will not be before 2023.This operation will be done gradually until 2030.From this moment, your accommodation must be connected to another network, most often fiber optics.

What are the steps in this tilting?

À partir du 15 novembre 2018Orange arrête de commercialiser le RTC pour le grand public.Concretely, it will no longer be possible to obtain the creation of an RTC line, especially in the event of a move to a new accommodation.

À partir du 15 novembre 2019L’arrêt de la commercialisation du RTC est étendu aux entreprises.

À partir de 2023Les premières lignes RTC arrêteront de fonctionner.The people concerned will then be forced to switch to IP technology if they want to continue using a landline phone.These swings will be done by plates, that is to say by group of municipalities or by district, and will spread until 2030.

I have a landline plugged into the wall outlet.What should I do immediately?

As long as you do not move, you can keep your current installation until the RTC extinction in your town.This will not intervene before 2023.

How will the tilting go concretely?

Orange has committed to warn the people concerned and to offer them spare solutions.Concretely, the operator undertakes to provide them with free a box that they will have to connect to their wall outlet.Their phone number will not change.

Should we subscribe an internet package?

Nope.The case provided by Orange will be used to connect your phone, but nothing will force you to connect a computer or a television or opt for a more expensive package.

Will the prices increase?

If future offers are not yet known, Orange has promised that prices would not change.It remains to be seen whether all the current offers will continue.

Should I change equipment?

Even if the installation of an adapter will sometimes be necessary, most of the fixed phones will support the switch.Despite everything, it is possible that some old models are not compatible with IP technology.In this case, you will have to buy a more recent phone.Certain telealarms and tele -assistance as well as assistance systems for the elderly and faxes could also no longer work.

Cyril Brosset

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