2024-11-04 19:31:00
It is an activity considered “strategic” and which should bring in more than it will cost the State. The Minister of Economy and Finance will travel to Calais on Tuesday to confirm the purchase of 80% of Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), which produces and installs submarine cables. Antoine Armand will be accompanied by the mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart.
In June, the government signed a promise to purchase 80% of ASN, the former submarine cable division of Alcatel held since 2015 by the Finnish Nokia, for around 100 million euros.
The company, valued at 350 million euros, one of the world leaders in the sector with around a third of the market share, is considered “strategic”, particularly in an international context marked by several conflicts.
Promoting national sovereignty
“It is a strategic investment in the sense of national sovereignty, of the direct interest for our critical infrastructures, for the national and European industrial strategy that we are deploying,” declared Antoine Armand in an interview with The Voice of the North published Monday on the newspaper’s website.
“But it is also […] an investment that will be profitable, he stressed. While ASN currently has a turnover of one billion euros, “the idea in the projections is that it will double, that it will triple in the coming years. »
“The submarine cable is one of three or four, perhaps, maximum, critical infrastructures of tomorrow. In the ability to master what we transmit, to know what we transmit, to be able to maintain this connection to the world, it is vital. It is a growing sector which has great vitality,” added the minister. Considered critical, submarine cables provide almost all of the world’s digital communications.
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**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of Economy and Finance**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister. Nokia’s recent decision to divest its submarine networks business, Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), to the French State has raised many eyebrows. Can you tell us why this acquisition is significant for the French government?
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. The acquisition of ASN is a strategic move for France. Submarine networks are critical to global communications, and owning a significant piece of this infrastructure allows us to better secure our telecommunications needs and support the growth of digital services across the country and Europe as a whole.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be a substantial investment involved, approximately 375 million euros. How does the government justify this expenditure?
**Antoine Armand:** Indeed, it is a significant investment, but we believe it will yield substantial returns. By integrating ASN into the French telecommunications framework, we can enhance our connectivity, strengthen our technological leadership, and potentially create thousands of jobs. The return on investment should far exceed the initial costs.
**Interviewer:** What are some of the immediate goals you hope to achieve with this acquisition?
**Antoine Armand:** One of our primary goals is to ensure the resilience and security of our digital infrastructure. In the face of increasing cyber threats and the growing data demands of the future, having control over our submarine cable production and installation capabilities is essential. Additionally, we want to support innovation within ASN, ensuring it remains competitive on the global stage.
**Interviewer:** How do you envision this acquisition impacting the local economy in Calais, where ASN is based?
**Antoine Armand:** This acquisition will have a positive effect on Calais and the surrounding region. We’re committed to investing in the local workforce and enhancing facilities to boost production capacity. With the mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, by my side, we aim to create a vibrant economic hub centered around high-tech manufacturing and service delivery.
**Interviewer:** There are concerns regarding state ownership and efficiency. How will you address these issues?
**Antoine Armand:** While state involvement often raises questions about efficiency, we are committed to operating ASN in a manner that fosters innovation and competitiveness. We will implement best practices from both the public and private sectors to ensure ASN thrives. Transparency and accountability will be key as we navigate this transition.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Armand. We look forward to seeing how this acquisition unfolds.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you. We’re excited about the future of ASN and its role in securing France’s digital infrastructure.
