Major Internet traffic in France is nearly half controlled by Netflix and tech giants collectively referred to as Gafam.
In its annual report on the state of the internet in France, the telecommunications regulatory authority (Arcep) has revealed a significant influence of American tech giants on the country's internet traffic. Netflix, with a share that decreased from nearly 20% in late 2022 to 12.3%, is one of the key players in this domain [1].
The report illustrates the increasing consumption of streaming content and online videos in France. By the end of 2024, France's overall internet traffic had increased to 50.8 terabits per second, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year [2]. This traffic predominantly consisted of streaming films and series, catch-up TV, and videos on social networks.
Several factors contribute to the high percentage of internet traffic in France being controlled by American tech giants. The dominance of Amazon and other U.S. platforms, with Amazon.fr leading the French e-commerce market, is one such factor. Beyond e-commerce, American tech giants like Google, Facebook (now Meta), and Microsoft provide a wide array of services and platforms that are widely used in France, such as search engines, social media, cloud computing, and productivity software [3].
Another factor is the global reach and infrastructure of these tech giants. Their extensive global infrastructure, including data centers and network connectivity, facilitates efficient service delivery across borders [4]. This robust infrastructure supports high-speed data transmission and access to their services, contributing to their dominance in internet traffic.
While the EU has implemented regulations like the Digital Services Act (DSA) to regulate digital services, these companies often have the resources and scale to comply with or adapt to such regulations [5]. Market competition and innovation also play a role, with global tech giants having a broader market presence and investing heavily in innovation to maintain a competitive edge [6].
However, the rise in streaming content and online video consumption in France may put additional pressure on the reliability of undersea cables, which are crucial components of France's internet infrastructure. Undersea cables are vulnerable to various threats such as damage from ships, fishing activities, and natural disasters [7].
Arcep has also noted the continued rise of generative AI in France. However, the report did not provide details on the potential impact of this increased traffic on France's internet infrastructure. The report also warns that generative AI, due to its opacity about sources and parameters, could exacerbate risks of enclosure, bias, and 'algorithmic bubbles' due to a loss of user control over online choices [8].
In response, Arcep calls on the European Commission to regulate the cloud and AI to ensure market openness, preserve fair competition, and foster an environment conducive to innovation. Akamai, a server operator used by many websites and platforms, represents 12.2% of France's internet traffic, almost stable compared to the previous year. Amazon's share, including Twitch, is 9.9%. Google and Meta each account for 7.3% and 5.4% respectively, completing the top 5 [9].
[1] Netflix's share of France's internet traffic decreases from nearly 20% to 12.3%. [2] France's overall internet traffic increases to 50.8 terabits per second. [3] American tech giants provide a wide array of services and platforms widely used in France. [4] American tech giants have extensive global infrastructure. [5] EU regulations are implemented to regulate digital services, including those provided by American companies. [6] Market competition and innovation play a role in the dominance of American tech giants. [7] Undersea cables are vulnerable to various threats. [8] Arcep warns about the risks of generative AI. [9] Akamai, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Netflix account for nearly half of France's internet traffic.
The report highlights the widespread use of services and platforms provided by American tech giants like Google, Facebook (now Meta), and Microsoft in France, contributing significantly to the country's internet traffic [3]. Furthermore, the increasing consumption of streaming content and online videos in France has resulted in a rise in data-and-cloud-computing services, with Akamai, a server operator, representing 12.2% of France's internet traffic [9].
