France Telecom Orange is investing 60 million euros in modernising its network: ADSL will be available to more than 99% of French households by 2013
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Paris, September 30, 2010 
Today the Group is launching a three-year programme which aims to give even more households the possibility of ADSL access by neutralising multiplexer equipment. This announcement illustrates two of the strategic themes set out by Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom Orange, in July 2010 as part of the “conquests 2015” project: conquering networks and conquering customers, not least by improving quality of service. When the modernisation programme ends in 2013, the percentage of eligible lines will increase from 98.6% to more than 99%, making France one of the world leaders in high-speed coverage.
In addition, France Telecom Orange also offers alternative satellite solutions, which will boost the coverage rate to 100% in mainland France.
Multiplexers are equipment located in the local loop of the network, providing conventional phone service via PSTNs (public switched telephone networks) to more customers than there are copper pairs ("lines") available in a given area. They therefore present a considerable advantage when rolling out phone networks and have helped to provide universal phone service throughout the country.
Multiplexers do, however, have a downside, since they make the lines they serve ineligible for ADSL. The presence of multiplexers and line length are the two reasons why lines may be ineligible for ADSL.
This self-funded project aimed at neutralising the largest multiplexers will be up and running by the end of the year. Some 3,000 France Telecom Orange employees will contribute to this programme which will provide ADSL access capability to 86,000 additional French households by 2013.
These investments are the first part of the "quality +" programme dedicated to improving the network which will be announced at the end of the year and is an important part of conquests 2015.
Today the Group is launching a three-year programme which aims to give even more households the possibility of ADSL access by neutralising multiplexer equipment. This announcement illustrates two of the strategic themes set out by Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom Orange, in July 2010 as part of the “conquests 2015” project: conquering networks and conquering customers, not least by improving quality of service. When the modernisation programme ends in 2013, the percentage of eligible lines will increase from 98.6% to more than 99%, making France one of the world leaders in high-speed coverage.
In addition, France Telecom Orange also offers alternative satellite solutions, which will boost the coverage rate to 100% in mainland France.
Multiplexers are equipment located in the local loop of the network, providing conventional phone service via PSTNs (public switched telephone networks) to more customers than there are copper pairs ("lines") available in a given area. They therefore present a considerable advantage when rolling out phone networks and have helped to provide universal phone service throughout the country.
Multiplexers do, however, have a downside, since they make the lines they serve ineligible for ADSL. The presence of multiplexers and line length are the two reasons why lines may be ineligible for ADSL.
This self-funded project aimed at neutralising the largest multiplexers will be up and running by the end of the year. Some 3,000 France Telecom Orange employees will contribute to this programme which will provide ADSL access capability to 86,000 additional French households by 2013.
These investments are the first part of the "quality +" programme dedicated to improving the network which will be announced at the end of the year and is an important part of conquests 2015.
Press contacts
Louis-Michel Aymard – +33 1 44 44 93 93 – service.presse@orange-ftgroup.com
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