Question 11450 — telecommunications

Summary

Mr. Didier Le Gac draws the attention of the Minister of the Economy and Finance to the State's strategy to preserve the know-how and expertise of the French fleet of cable ships. Establishing communication links from one end of the oceans to the other, submarine cables provide nearly 99% of intercontinental communications, both telephone and internet, supplanting all other transmission media of the information. The exponential increase in digital exchanges and international financial transactions, the development of new uses in terms of connected objects, and the protection of personal data make the laying and maintenance of submarine cables essential strategic activities for States, both politically and economically. In this context, with more than 160 years of experience in laying submarine cables globally, Alcatel Submarine Network (ASN), a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent, is one of the world leaders in the field of production, installation and maintenance of submarine cables, relying in particular on a large fleet of cable vessels. The takeover of Alcaltel-Lucent by Nokia, authorized by the French Government in October 2015, aroused a certain emotion, particularly in Brittany and Brest which historically concentrated a significant part of Alcatel's employment. Now, it is the turn of its subsidiary ASN to be the subject, for several months now, of rumors of a sale by Nokia. This announced sale of ASN is of particular concern to elected officials because this major player in submarine cabling clearly falls within the scope of “strategic” assets within the meaning of Article L. 151-3 of the Monetary and Monetary Code. financial, suggesting important issues of national and European sovereignty. At a time when new players such as GAFA are investing in the field of submarine cables, and could develop their own fleet of cable vessels, without providing the same guarantees of sovereignty to France, it seems fundamental to ensure that France will continue to have such assets. Also, he questions him about how the Government intends to defend the vital interests of France for this strategic activity which is, on the one hand, the manufacturing and, on the other hand, the installation and maintenance of submarine cables via cable ships. On the latter, he would like to know if there is not an opportunity to strengthen France's role in the field, by promoting the grouping of national activities in order to create a French global player. of the highest order.

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