In our constantly changing world, local authorities must consider the concepts of “smart city” and “smart territory” when it comes to better supporting their citizens. Delphine Woussen, Director of Smart Cities and Territories at Orange, shares her vision of cities and suburbs, where sustainable choices in technology and innovation promote inclusion and well-being for all.
What do we mean by “smart city” and “smart territory” and what are the challenges?
Delphine Woussen: "It’s essential to understand that the concept of “smart city” is not limited to large inner cities, but also encompasses other conurbations. At Orange, we believe that a smart city, or rather a smart territory, concerns a multitude of players, ranging from metropolises to municipalities, including the suburbs and commuter towns.
A smart territory is not just about integrating advanced technologies but a concept that’s built around the needs of its citizens.
At Orange, we work with local authorities on an approach focused on resident well-being, improving urban services, and developing the region’s attractiveness.
The focus is to make the city more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive through digital technology that serves the public interest."
What are Orange’s main development priorities, as a trusted partner of local authorities?
D.W: "Orange plays a key role in regional development, and we are pioneers in this field!
We support local authorities by optimizing how urban infrastructure and services are managed, while developing tools to improve interactions with citizens. This contributes not only to the region’s attractiveness, but also its sustainability.
We are helping local authorities transition to greener digital solutions through fiber, 5G and satellite as well as LoRa low-speed networks for the Internet of Things (IoT).
We also offer them digital, IoT, data, AI, hosting and cyberdefense solutions, in order to respond to all business needs, whether in terms of the environment, resource optimization, mobility, security or resilience...
Central to our value proposition is our Hexadone joint venture with La Banque des Territoires is dedicated to public policy data management and optimization.
Orange is a trusted partner of local authorities, working alongside local decision-makers to develop the resilient, sustainable, and inclusive territories of tomorrow adapted to each community."
What are the current trends?
D.W.: "We’re seeing several significant trends, such as the development of mobility eco-observatories and the deployment of turnkey management solutions to optimize energy consumption in public buildings. Local authorities are also focused on water and waste management.
They are also facing major challenges to operate more efficiently and boost resilience to climate change impacts within a constrained budget."
Digital technology is an essential contributor to some of the solutions, especially in terms of managing and optimizing data to improve public policy.
"The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) is also significant, and the gradual adoption of AI tech-nologies is a real driver of change. Today, more than 50% of local authorities say they are committed to AI projects according to the Data Publica Observatory!
With the end of the deployment of the France Très Haut Débit plan, we are also seeing a significant acceleration in the market this year, especially with Departments and Mixed Syndicates pooling resources."
These trends are reflected in the current news and will be highlighted at the Mayors and Local Authorities Show on the Orange stand, where we will discuss topics such as AI and its possibilities for local authorities, the results of the Data Publica Observatory barometer, and how Lorient Agglomération used data to reinvent waste management.