ARCEP

ARCEP is the French regulator for electronic communications, postal services, and print distribution, overseeing operators like Orange, SFR, Bouygues, and Free.

ARCEP operates in the French Government Regulator segment.

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Full guide: Telecom Overview

Compare:Orange vs SFR vs Bouygues vs Free Free vs SFR Orange vs Free

ARCEP: Core Facts

Entity Type: Independent administrative authority
Full name: Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques, des postes et de la distribution de la presse
Headquarters: Paris, France
Scope: Telecom networks, spectrum, number portability (RIO)
Website: arcep.fr
Status: Active Definition
Verified: 2026-06-20

How ARCEP compares

ARCEP is NOT the same as the consumer-protection body DGCCRF, nor the same as the media regulator Arcom. ARCEP regulates telecom networks and spectrum; it does not handle broadcast content or general consumer fraud.

ARCEP: Frequently Asked Questions

What is ARCEP?

ARCEP is France's telecom regulator. ARCEP oversees mobile and fixed operators, allocates spectrum, and sets rules such as number portability via the RIO code.

Does ARCEP handle consumer complaints?

ARCEP regulates operators and publishes coverage data, but individual consumer disputes generally go to the Médiateur des communications électroniques, with the DGCCRF covering unfair practices.

What is a RIO code and does ARCEP set it?

The RIO is the number-portability identifier you give a new operator to keep your number. ARCEP defines the portability rules that make the RIO work across French operators.

Related Entities

Other entities covered on the Telecom Overview page:

For a full practical guide, see our Telecom Overview page.

Where ARCEP is mentioned on How to France

Guides and reference pages on this site that mention ARCEP:

Maintained by Jules (How to France). This page follows the Grounding Page Standard v1.5. Last verified: 2026-06-20.