mobile network

what do we mean?
Mobile systems are classified by generations:
-    the second generation (2G) is made up of the first digital mobile systems, mainly GSM (the technology found in more than 80% of terminals used worldwide, with networks in practically all countries).
-    the third generation (3G/ 3G+) is made up of voice and data digital mobile systems that support high-speed data services. 3G+ provides higher data speeds.  
-    4G systems have also been discussed (particularly for LTE and Wimax)

France Telecom’s GSM, GPRS/Edge (development of GSM for data) and 3G network architecture complies with the international ETSI and 3GPP standards. These networks use standardized frequency bands for GSM and UMTS: 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz.
France Telecom Group is very active in searching for the best infrastructure-sharing solutions, to reduce costs and to minimize the environmental impact of its business. For example, the Group has long been implementing site-sharing for 2G and 3G, which have several common elements.
3G+ provides significantly greater bandwidth and capacity than previous generations, comparable to the sea change introduced when ADSL became available on the fixed network.

what’s the coverage?
France Telecom has rolled out the GSM standard in every country where it has a mobile network, and it has introduced the Edge standard in most of these countries. Since 2004,
France Telecom has also rolled out 3G/UMTS mobile networks in Europe and in a growing number of AMEA countries.

the Group is continuing to roll out 3G+ in France
At the end of 2010, more than 95% of the population was covered by 3G/3G+. Orange offers the widest mobile coverage in Metropolitan France. (Source: ARCEP 2010 reports).
France Telecom-Orange is deploying 3G in all of the European countries where the Group is present. In most countries, the entire 3G network is now 3G+.
3G has also been deployed, or its deployment is underway, in countries outside of Europe, such as Egypt and Senegal. In these countries, the deployment was HSPA directly (or 3G+), and currently only covers high-data-traffic areas in major cities.

the Group is preparing for the deployment of 4G
Orange aims to be a pioneer for the launch of the 4th generation of LTE mobiles (4G) in Spain, with a commercial launch planned in Valencia before the end of 2011, followed by Barcelona in early 2012. In addition, the acquisition of new frequencies and the development of innovative projects will enable a better quality of service for its customers.