French lobby group warns against higher taxes

France’s cellcos may be forced to raise tariffs for the forthcoming launch of 4G services, according to the head of the country’s telecoms industry lobby. Pierre Louette, who is also deputy chief executive of France Telecom-Orange, said in an interview with daily newspaper Le Figaro that tax increases and competitive pressures are having a negative impact on the sector. ‘I won’t be surprised if 4G is more expensive,’ Louette said. ‘The government will have to make clear choices. It can’t ask us at the same time to invest, [introduce] lower prices and have us pay taxes which are 25% higher than in any other industry.’