Iliad S.A. is a France-based telecommunications company primarily engaged in providing fixed and mobile connectivity services. Operating under its flagship brand “Free,” Iliad offers a broad range of internet access products, including ADSL, VDSL and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband subscriptions. In the mobile segment, the company delivers voice, data and messaging services through its 4G and 5G networks, positioning itself as a pioneer in low-cost, no-contract telecom offerings.
Founded in 1990 by entrepreneur Xavier Niel, Iliad initially made its mark in 1999 with the launch of its first Free-branded internet subscription, introducing radically simplified pricing and unlimited access at a flat monthly fee. The group expanded its mobile footprint in 2012 with Free Mobile, rapidly capturing market share by undercutting incumbents on price and service flexibility. In subsequent years, Iliad embarked on international growth, establishing Iliad Italia in 2018 and completing the acquisition of the Polish operator Play in 2020, thereby extending its presence to three major European markets.
Beyond consumer telecommunications, Iliad has diversified into digital infrastructure and enterprise solutions. Through its subsidiary Scaleway, the group provides cloud computing, data center hosting and web-scale IT resources for businesses. Iliad also invests heavily in network rollout, continually upgrading its fibre and mobile networks to support higher bandwidth and emerging technologies. Governance is spearheaded by founder Xavier Niel, who retains a controlling interest, alongside CEO Thomas Reynaud, under whose leadership Iliad pursues innovation in cost-efficient connectivity and digital services across France, Italy and Poland.
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