Free, a subsidiary of the Iliad group, is a French telecommunications company founded by Xavier Niel. It has distinguished itself through its innovative approach in the telecom market, notably by introducing low-cost offers that have disrupted the sector. Since its inception, Free has established itself as a major player in France, both in the internet and mobile telephony domains, and continues to play a key role in the evolution of digital technologies.
Free is best known for its innovations in Internet access and mobile telephony services. In 2002, it launched the Freebox, a revolutionary internet box that integrated television, telephony, and internet functionalities into a single device for the first time. This innovation allowed Free to capture a significant share of the ADSL market in France.
In 2012, Free made a remarkable entry into the mobile telephony market with low-cost offers. This strategy not only attracted millions of customers but also forced incumbent operators to revise their pricing, thus altering the competitive landscape of the sector.
Recently, Free signed an exclusive partnership with Mistral AI, a start-up specializing in generative artificial intelligence. This partnership aims to offer its mobile subscribers a next-generation AI assistant called "Le Chat Pro." Accessible for free for 12 months to the 15.5 million paying subscribers, this assistant enhances the integration of AI into daily use, demonstrating Free's commitment to the democratization of advanced technologies.
Moreover, Free, as a subsidiary of the Iliad group, benefits from massive investments in AI infrastructure. The Iliad group recently announced an investment of 3 billion euros to strengthen its AI-dedicated infrastructures, which includes providing 5000 next-generation GPUs through its subsidiary Scaleway. These initiatives support the development and deployment of cutting-edge AI technologies, both for businesses and end-users.
Free holds a central place in the French and European technological ecosystem. As a pioneer in Internet and mobile telephony access, Free has consistently demonstrated an innovative capacity that has influenced the entire telecommunications sector. Its commitment to AI, illustrated by its partnership with Mistral AI and investments in technological infrastructure, underscores its determination to remain at the forefront of technological innovation.
The support of Xavier Niel, founder of Free and a key investor in several tech start-ups, also reinforces the company's position within the tech ecosystem. For instance, Niel has invested in Poolside AI, a U.S. start-up developing a foundation model for code, and actively supports innovative initiatives through Station F, the largest start-up campus in the world.
Besides the initiatives in artificial intelligence, Free continues to innovate in the telecommunications sector. In collaboration with Younited Credit, Free offers split payment solutions to its customers, thus facilitating access to its services while strengthening its commercial offer. This partnership demonstrates Free's commitment to integrating modern technological solutions to enhance the customer experience.
In parallel, Free remains committed to developing its network infrastructures, supported by the Iliad group, which actively invests in data centers and computing capabilities. These efforts aim to ensure a high-quality user experience while supporting the rise of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
In conclusion, Free continues to play a decisive role in the telecommunications and technology sector in France. Through its initiatives in artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships, the company positions itself as a leader in innovation and technological development, actively contributing to shaping Europe's digital future.
Free SAS, stylisé en free, entreprise filiale du groupe Iliad, est un opérateur de téléphonie mobile français et l'un des principaux fournisseurs d'accès à Internet en France. En nombre d'abonnés haut débit Free vient en deuxième position en mars 2012, derrière Orange, mais devant Bouygues Telecom et SFR.
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