an ecosystem undergoing rapid change
In an increasingly connected world, where data exchanges continue to grow at an accelerated pace, networks are a fundamental resource. The relentless rise in the number of connected devices, spurred by higher speeds for broadband Internet services in developed countries and burgeoning mobile phone penetration, notably in emerging markets, all drive higher volumes of data traffic. New digital applications – especially exchanges of bandwidth-hungry multimedia content – are further accelerating this revolution.
Networks are also central to the issues of the digital divide and geographic coverage to allow the largest possible number of people to enjoy access to services that transform their daily lives. As a major global network operator, France Telecom-Orange deploys a comprehensive array of resources to support this digital revolution.
a constantly enhanced network
To provide individual and business customers with high quality voice and data communications services, the Group operates high speed data packet access networks. However, burgeoning data traffic growth has changed the way networks and the information systems create added-value. Nowadays, it is the increasingly vast and diversified services that matters to customers, not only call time anymore. The larger the networks capacity is, much more numerous are uses by the customer. The challenge is to develop performing, convergent and mutualised network infrastructure.
greater network convergence
The telecommunications sector is seeing major technological changes, including the development of mobility, the prevalence of broadband and now of high-speed broadband, the convergence of fixed and mobile services, the increased use of the Internet Protocol and the increasing interoperability of networks.
In this context, the Group’s ambition is to achieve the convergence of its fixed and mobile networks through a unified architecture in accordance with three fundamental principles:
flexibility and responsiveness, to quickly assemble and deliver new services to meet market requirements;
the ability to support the strong growth and diversification of the services that are offered: voice services, Internet access services, video services, data services;
simplicity for customers in the use of these services.
making difference with quality
To satisfy existing customers and win new ones in all its markets, France Telecom-Orange dedicated 55% of its investments to improving and modernizing its networks in 2011.
At the end of 2011, the Group was operating networks in 35 countries to serve its customers and in nearly 220 countries or territories to serve its business customers.
