The French telecoms market is now dominated by a tussle between two groups, struggling to eat into the market share of incumbent Orange with disruptive tactics and radical new cost models. In the most recent financial quarters, the pair had different fortunes however. Altice – owner of cableco Numericable and France’s second MNO, SFR – lost subscribers and revenues in 2015, though it boosted profits with its aggressive cost cutting. Meanwhile Iliad, which owns the Free broadband and mobile providers, continues to increase its subscribers and market share. Altice has put intense pressure on its suppliers to reduce their prices, but the downside has been damage to its reputation for service quality, and a fall in customer numbers. Its full…