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It was like a habit orchestrated suspense. A simple impromptu invitation in the inbox journalists, inviting them to a press conference Tuesday, March 10. That’s all that Free will before the official announcement during the press conference. The rest of the promotion, it is the fans and media who will take care. Soon Monday, March 9, the buzz is launched on social networks and sites of “freenautes” these operator aficionados who swear by Xavier Niel, founder operator (also a shareholder personally World .)
They will not be disappointed: Free has just announced the arrival of a new fiber box. “The Free Box mini 4K” a machine running Android, Google’s operating system and supporting 4K ultra high definition video technology. It will also, according to the operator, the first box to ship this format.
Presented as an entry-level service, new offering will be marketed Free 29.99 euros. It will integrate the triple play (internet with fiber, fixed telephony and television). The box will also be equipped with a Bluetooth remote with possibility to search by voice. The offer is not binding as habits
So far the operator had two machine. Revolution 35 euros, more upscale, and Crystal to 29.99 euros. Should be added to it 1.99 euros for the TV option, bringing the actual price for a triple play offer to 31.98 euros. The Box mini 4k is therefore strengthen this last segment and offers, according to the operator, a wider service for a price, so, slightly lower.
“ It is richer in terms supply and we are the first to offer a true Android box shipping 4K technology, says Maxime Lombardini, CEO of Free . ” And if for the moment the chains do not yet offer many programs in this format, it is not very serious: “The arrival of 4K is well underway, it is a technology that is beginning to s’ set up. When the chains will see that there is an audience they will put it more broadly in place, “, predicts Mr. Lombardini. Clients of FreeBox revolution will also be able to access this ultra high definition by acquiring the Box mini, as the second accommodation case TV for 1.99 euros. Announced by the TV manufacturers since 2013, the 4K has indeed not yet invaded consumer shows. The exorbitant price of television sets supporting the format and the scarcity of content have slowed for now the technology diffusion
Free also offers customers another new box. The possibility of taking 4 mobile lines with unlimited voice and SMS package and 3 GB of data for 15.99 euros, against 19.99 euros for the rest of the consumers. Previously they could only combine two lines. Besides this box mini, the operator should present by the end of a high-end machine.
If this launch puts Freenautes community in turmoil, observers and market them may be a bit disappointed. Not by the product itself, but by the nature of the announcement. Many had expected in a sensational effect on output in terms of prices, especially on the mobile.
Observers speculated in effect on prices even lower packages that could cause another tsunami in the area. And can change the positions of each other with a view to consolidation. So also the market price of SFR-Numericable, Bouygues and Orange are all experienced. They unscrewed the stock market Monday, March 9.
It is that, since the purchase of SFR Numericable, the sector is wait. All operators (Orange, SFR, Numericable, Bouygues Telecom and Free) have an interest in a passage from four to three, but nobody wants to be sacrificed. According to them, the French market is too small for so many actors, a passage to three would, perhaps, to raise prices. Or at least stabilize them.
A price drop even more rognerait margins players and increase, analysts, emergency purpose. Overdue, Bouygues Telecom could for example be more willing to sell. Patrick Drahi, the President of SFR, Numericable Board would, in turn, more difficult to repay debt and launch may be faster to assault a subsidiary of construction group.
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