Evolving mobile uses and increasing connectivity needs lead operators to constantly look for new sites to host masts and provide mobile connectivity to customers. As an independent subsidiary 100% owned by Orange, TOTEM has taken advantage of this opportunity to enhance the Group’s existing mobile networks and deploy shared infrastructure to meet operators’ growing connectivity needs. Responding to complex technical and real estate challenges, these investments offer shared hosting while minimizing management costs, environmental issues, and visual impacts.
What is a TowerCo?
A "TowerCo" – or "Tower Company" – is an entity that builds, manages, and leases out “passive” infrastructure assets on which mobile network antennas and equipment are mounted, including masts and rooftop structures. The three main areas of business include tower maintenance and sustainability, building new infrastructure with landowners and local authorities, and marketing these sites.
The purpose of a TowerCo is to pool the infrastructure while allowing customers to install their active equipment (mobile phone antennas, IoT equipment, radio masts, dedicated private networks or PMRs, and more). The business model leverages the site to improve economic performance by generating new revenue – both recurring and long-term – while spreading the costs among users. It also improves network coverage in areas where it is particularly difficult to build new sites, particularly in cities, by optimizing the construction, limiting the use of concrete and steel, and reducing the carbon impacts.
The strength of a TowerCo is its particular expertise in investing in the best locations and enabling its customers to benefit under the best conditions.
TOTEM: Orange’s TowerCo
Orange created TOTEM as a dedicated TowerCo to leverage its strong regional footprint and monetize its high-grade mobile infrastructure. Active in France and Spain since 2021, the company offers mutualized infrastructure solutions to all operators in these two countries.
TOTEM has also opened its infrastructure to a growing number of “non-operator” customers with data transmission needs (public institutions, manufacturers, media, radio, remote metering providers, etc.). They require access to high points to optimize data delivery or reception for connected equipment, as well as a single partner who is capable of meeting their specific needs.
27,300 sites
(towers and roof terraces) managed in France and Spain
N°5 in the European market in terms of number of sites
Around 400 new sites built in 2023 in France
Absolute neutrality
Although a 100% subsidiary of Orange, TOTEM has an independent brand, its own organization, and neutral and non-discriminatory offer to all customers.
5G and indoor coverage
Developing a 5G network and the significant need for new antennas are a real challenge for operators. TOTEM responds to these issues with innovative solutions, such as in Spain with the deployment of “small cells”, or small mobile antennas, which are scaled for urban environments such as bus shelters or traffic signs, while increasing mobile network capacity and coverage.
While 80% of connections are now required in indoor spaces – where deploying antennas faces particular limitations – creating “natively shared” networks is an ideal solution and TOTEM is positioning itself as a key player. As an emblematic project and technological challenge, TOTEM is also deploying a 5G network open to all operators along the 33 kilometers and 16 stations of the future 15 South metro line of the Grand Paris Express, with commissioning scheduled for the end of 2025.
Small cells enable uniform 5G development in urban areas, so the development opportunities are enormous.
In 2023, the TowerCo installed a shared 5G network within the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille, which it also operates, using latest-generation antennas developed for high-density, highly populated environments where the concrete walls are impermeable to waves.
As an emblematic project and technological challenge, TOTEM is also deploying a 5G network open to all operators along the 33 kilometers and 16 stations of the future 15 South metro line of the Grand Paris Express, with commissioning scheduled for the end of 2025.
The Line 15 project has shown TOTEM’s ability to fulfil complex programs, coordinating with multiple players, and ensuring the commercial relationship with operators as the site manager.”