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economic and social development

increasing access to information and communication technologies in emerging countries and mature markets alike by providing offerings suitable for people with low incomes; In Metropolitan France, since May 2009, all recipients of income support (revenu de solidarité active or RSA) may subscribe to the special RSA prepay package available for 10 euros per month. Similar offerings exist in other European countries;

developing value-added products and services suited to the economic and social context of each country in which it is established, according to the principle of co-construction with local players; Second-hand mobile phones have been avail-able for the past two years from Orange shops in Metropolitan France. A wide range of simple and up-market mobiles consisting of three categories of handsets, is on sale at attractive prices for pay-as-you-go offerings or to accompany Orange’s special RSA prepaid package. In several countries, buyback options also give customers production coupons or a gift voucher in exchange for their old telephone. A solution that benefits both customers and the environment.

promoting the development of an ecosystem based on new technologies, which supports the creation of businesses and fosters the emergence of products, services and contents suited to local markets. For instance, The Group is developing community solutions with highly attractive rates, such as the “Community Phone” concept, which has already helped to bring collective access to mobile telephony to more than 1,700 villages with over 500 inhabitants, in Mali, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire and The Central African Republic. In addition to access to communication at the lowest possible cost, these com-munity phones encourage the development of micro-enterprises: a person with an aerial, a mobile phone and a solar battery charger can in effect become the operator for an entire village.

Another emblematic example is Orange Money:

In Africa, to offset the lack of banking infrastructure, the Group launched Orange Money in 2008: a simple, secure solution enabling users to open a payment account linked to a mobile number, which also provides a means for companies or small businesses to simplify payment for trade services and even wages.

This service, offered in partnership with a major bank, has a high level of security to avoid the risk of theft or fraud. By the end of 2011, it was already available in seven countries (Senegal, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Kenya, Botswana, and Cameroon) and had 3 million users.

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Data for Development: Orange uses Big data to aid populations

last update: 13 May 2013

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