A long-time partner to local authorities, Orange supports local officials in this transformation. As Cyril Luneau, Director of Local Government Relations at Orange, explains: “French municipalities want reliable coverage, services that fit their specific needs, and support for citizens to feel comfortable in adopting the latest tech.”
To meet these expectations, Orange leverages its expertise and infrastructure to serve towns and cities of all sizes. This includes modernizing networks, safeguarding public data, and providing hands-on guidance through our Local Government Relations teams, who are essential local contacts when it comes to implementing solutions effectively.
Residents want online services that are convenient but still value human interaction. A 2025 Sociovision–Orange study found that 46% of citizens want improved 24/7 online services while maintaining quality personal contact. Digital transformation is not just about technology. It’s about strengthening the connection between citizens and their local governments.
Residents increasingly benefit from SMS alerts, emails, and voice messages to stay informed about school registrations, town meetings, or schedule changes. Online portals simplify administrative tasks, and digital badges make accessing services smoother. Dynamic displays in public spaces and personalized information campaigns are also on the rise.
Artificial intelligence is stepping into daily operations too: chatbots and conversational agents like Orange’s Live Intelligence make it easier for citizens to get answers quickly and efficiently.
A successful digital transformation starts with strong infrastructure. “First and foremost, you need networks that are well-built and resilient, capable of withstanding extreme weather and acts of vandalism,” stresses Cyril Luneau. This is absolutely essential for ensuring service continuity and making digital initiatives for local governments truly effective. And because we know that a power outage or natural disaster can throw everything off course, our networks are designed to be resilient from the start. Their architecture, equipment, and infrastructure are built to absorb shocks, reroute traffic, and keep running even during local incidents or extreme weather.
Orange takes care of maintenance, prepares teams and backup equipment, and regularly runs full-scale drills with prefectures and local partners.
In the case of extreme events – like cyclones in Mayotte – Orange even has satellite solutions with Safety Cases, to keep communications up and running and ensure essential information remains accessible. “When there’s no electricity and no network, these tools let us stay in touch with field teams and the crisis management center,” explains Cyril Luneau.
Take a look
at Cyril Luneau’s analysis
Cyril Luneau details how Orange supports local governments in handling the growing impact of extreme weather. In addition, he helps us to understand the priorities and challenges local governments face in their digital transformation.
To support resilience and meet the growing needs of local governments, Orange is rolling out networks that are not only fast and capable of handling multiple services, but also robust.
In France, fiber optic coverage is now a reality: nine out of ten households have access. At the same time, the gradual phase-out of the copper network is underway, with a full transition to ultra-high-speed broadband planned by 2030.
The more services are digitized, the more they need protection. Local governments are particularly exposed: according to the National Cybersecurity Agency, nearly 220 cybersecurity incidents affected them directly in 2024. The consequences? Service paralysis, data theft, and loss of trust.
To address these challenges, Orange supports municipalities with concrete solutions: a trusted cloud hosted in France, hypervision and data protection systems, and real-time alerts to counter threats. With the 2026 municipal elections approaching, strengthening cybersecurity is a key lever to ensure continuity of public services and maintain citizens’ trust.
Digital technology is advancing quickly, but not everyone is keeping pace. Nearly one-third of French citizens still feel uncomfortable with digital tools, according to the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT).
Municipalities play a key role in bridging the digital divide: organizing workshops, creating connected public spaces, and training residents. Orange supports these efforts, backing digital education programs, solidarity initiatives, and assistance for the most vulnerable, especially in rural areas. As Cyril Luneau puts it: “Helping those who are farthest from digital tools also eases the workload of social workers.”
The goal is simple: no one should be left on the platform while the digital train passes by.
Orange helps local governments implement digital services that are both more accessible and more efficient. Our solutions follow the General Accessibility Improvement Framework (RGAA) and the General Framework for Eco-Design of Digital Services (RGESN), promoting interfaces that are inclusive and resource-efficient.
Digital accessibility ensures all citizens, regardless of ability or familiarity, can access their municipality’s online services.
Eco-design contributes to digital efficiency: lighter, faster sites that offer a better experience for users.
AI opens a new chapter for local governments. It helps manage data, automate tasks, and streamline interactions with citizens.
According to the 2024 Data Publica Observatory Barometer, 65% of French local governments are already using their territorial data, and more than half have launched an AI project.
To go further, Orange and the Banque des Territoires created Hexadone, a sovereign platform to manage and leverage public data.
The examples are growing, for example municipal chatbots to respond to residents, predictive maintenance for public buildings, smart mobility and waste management, and energy management to save resources.
AI is also a tool for environmental management.
Territorial monitoring platforms track energy use, mobility, and water management. Connected sensors regulate street lighting, monitor air quality, and adjust school temperatures. As Cyril Luneau explains: “Digital technology is essential to reduce energy costs and manage local resources.”
With these technologies, municipalities become smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Take a look at
Cyril Luneau’s analysis
Cyril Luneau explains here how digital transformation helps optimize local resources and improve public service management. In addition he reviews programs that help elected officials gain digital literacy and better navigate these new challenges.
Digital progress depends on people trained to manage it. Understanding challenges, anticipating risks, securing data: training is now an essential lever.
“No local government can succeed in its transformation without trained elected officials and equipped staff,” reminds Cyril Luneau.
That’s why Orange and the Association of Mayors of France (AMF) have partnered to support new elected officials from 2026 on three key topics: AI, cybersecurity, and data governance.
Beyond national programs, support happens on the ground, close to municipalities.Training, webinars, and hands-on workshops are offered year-round on strategic topics: AI, cybersecurity, data, and ecological transition.
- Making the right technology choices
- Protecting public data
- Anticipating cyber risk
- Accelerating local digital transformation
The 2026 municipal mandate requires digital, cybersecurity, and AI to be front and center of public action. These are no longer optional. They are essential pillars for every administration. “Digital is the foundation of modern, accessible, and sustainable public action,” summarizes Cyril Luneau. By helping municipalities connect, secure, and train, Orange remains a trusted partner for local territories.
Digital technology becomes a driver for economic and social development, a lever for local cohesion, and a guarantee of inclusive public services
