Orange
ENXTPA:ORA
€
13,74
€
€-0,29 (-2,07%)
13,74
€
€-0,29 (-2,07%)
End-of-day quote: 12/05/2025
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Orange Company Info
EPS Growth 5Y
-3,15%
Market Cap
€37,30 B
Long-Term Debt
€29,21 B
Annual earnings
02/19/2026
Dividend
€0,74
Dividend Yield
5,35%
Founded
1991
Industry
Country
Website
ISIN Number
Website
Analyst Price Target
€15,20
10.63%
Last Update: 12/05/2025
Analysts: 17
Highest Price Target €20,00
Average Price Target €15,20
Lowest Price Target €13,00
In the last five quarters, Orange’s Price Target has risen from €10,76 to €12,76 - a 18,59% increase. Eight analysts predict that Orange’s share price will increase in the coming year, reaching €15,20. This would represent an increase of 10,63%.
Top growth stocks in the communication services sector (5Y.)
What does Orange do?
Orange S.A. (Orange) engages in the telecommunications business worldwide.
The company has a total customer base of 298 million customers worldwide at December 31, 2023, including 254 million mobile customers and 25 million fixed broadband customers. The company is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business. Orange is France's incumbent telecommunications operator.
Strategy...
Orange S.A. (Orange) engages in the telecommunications business worldwide.
The company has a total customer base of 298 million customers worldwide at December 31, 2023, including 254 million mobile customers and 25 million fixed broadband customers. The company is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business. Orange is France's incumbent telecommunications operator.
Strategy
Launched in February 2023, the strategic plan Lead the Future intends to generate value from the company's recognized excellence in its core business and to grow sustainably in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Orange also intends to re-position its Enterprise activities in next generation connectivity solutions and accelerate in cybersecurity.
Orange, a pioneer in fiber, continues to deploy, innovate and invest in the best technologies to respond to its customers' needs for reliability, security and resilience. In addition, Orange consolidates its strong position in cybersecurity and re-positions its B2B activities to better meet the expectations of its customers. Finally, this plan is expected to allow the company to strengthen its position in Africa and the Middle East, a region of high growth.
Lead the Future is built on four pillars: capitalizing on Orange's core business to reinforce excellence and quality of service (such as standing out for the quality of networks and service, using data and AI to offer customers a customized experience, and capitalizing on roll-out progress and leadership in networks); capitalizing on infrastructure in all the countries where the company is active (such as continuing the extension of very high-speed fixed and mobile broadband and increasing the value of Totem and rolling out network integration factories); transforming Orange Business to accelerate growth in the Enterprise segment and strengthen Orange's position in cybersecurity (such as positioning Orange Business as the leader for next generation connectivity solutions, and continuing the growth of Orange Cyberdefense to open up to new markets (B2C/micro-businesses)); and continuing to grow in Africa and the Middle East (such as maintaining growth in the Africa & Middle East region, accelerating the transformation of Orange Money, and strengthening the company's foothold). Accompanying the 2025 plan is a new company model.
Partnership with Networth for the 'All Fibre' Offer
In March 2023 and in partnership with Networth, Orange Wholesale France (OWF) - the Orange entity dedicated to the telecommunication operator market in France - launched a complete voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony and fiber Internet connectivity offering called All Fibre. This offer is a turnkey solution for operators without a network or service platform operating in the professionals and very small businesses markets. It offers extensive national coverage and is simple, convenient, time-saving and cost-effective for telecommunication operators.
Launch of the n#ew Livebox 7
In October 2023, Orange launched the XGS-PON-compatible Livebox 7, allowing all members of the same household to enjoy the best Orange Wi-Fi experience (gaming, video chat, ultra high-definition TV, etc.). Thanks to Wi-Fi 6E, several devices can be connected simultaneously on one of the three spectrum bands available, for an ultra-high-performance connection with improved latency. Livebox 7 is part of the eco-design approach recognized by Bureau Veritas's 'Footprint Progress' certification, a first for an Orange box in France. Bureau Veritas an internationally recognized certification body, focusing on the product's life cycle. Livebox 7 is designed to be easily repairable, with a 100% recycled and recyclable shell, and offers a standby mode option to reduce energy consumption.
Widespread roll-out of Fiber Optic by 2025
In France, the roll-out of the FTTH network continued at a steady pace, and Orange consolidated its leadership with a total of 37.4 million households connectable to Orange fiber optic and 8.2 million customers at end-2023.
Orange and the French government announced on November 7, 2023 that they had reached a tentative new agreement on the widespread deployment of fiber optic by 2025.
In Africa & Middle East, at end-2023, the company had connected 4.1 million homes to FTTH in Morocco, Jordan, CÔte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea. Orange has stepped up its fiber roll-out and had 1.2 million customers at end-December 2023.
Mobile-access Networks
Orange's 5G is now marketed in a non-standalone (NSA) version (in other words based on a 5G spectrum but using a 4G core and an additional 4G anchor frequency band) in six countries in Europe (France, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain). It is initially being rolled out in urban areas where 4G is in high demand, and in areas with high levels of economic activity, as a complement to the other networks. In 2023, Spain and Belgium launched their 5G standalone (SA) network. The other four European countries that have already rolled out 5G NSA will commission 5G SA between 2024 and 2025.
In Africa & Middle East, Orange is pursuing a 4G roll-out strategy and is investing in all countries to upgrade and extend their access networks. The first 5G roll-outs took place in 2022, continued in 2023, and Orange is seeking to accelerate to cover almost the entire region by 2025.
In March 2023, Orange borrowed 500 million euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to help finance in France the rollout of its 5G mobile network and the reinforcement of its 4G mobile network capacity in rural areas. This financing is part of the roadmap of Orange's new strategic plan, which aims, among other things, to capitalize on the company's infrastructure in order to consolidate Orange's leading position in terms of quality of service and networks.
In October 2023, the results of Arcep's annual survey on the quality of the mobile services of French telecoms operators confirmed for the thirteenth consecutive year that Orange remains the leader in voice, SMS and data, coming in first or tied for first in all 278 performance criteria measured. These results are a testament to the expertise and ongoing commitment of the teams to more efficient and more responsible networks.
Satellites
In March 2023, Orange announced that it had signed a distribution agreement with OneWeb (a low earth orbit satellite communications company) aimed at improving and expanding the company's global connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas of Europe, Latin America and Africa. Thanks to this partnership, Orange will be able to offer telecommunication operators and businesses an enhanced connectivity offer incorporating OneWeb's LEO (Low Earth Orbit) solution, making it possible to connect, with improved latency, hard-to-reach areas that could not be served until now. Other benefits of this partnership include increased resilience and geographical coverage of B2B and backhaul solutions in these remote areas.
In November 2023, Orange launched its Satellite offer, expanding its range of very high-speed broadband connectivity solutions to include satellite in its technological mix, in addition to fiber, ADSL, 4G Home and 5G Home. This new offer, marketed through Orange distribution channels, is operated by Nordnet, a Group subsidiary that has specialized in satellite Internet for 15 years. It is part of the French government's Cohésion Numérique des Territoires (Digital Regional Cohesion) program, and meets the government's objective of guaranteeing very high-speed broadband access for everyone by 2025. It relies on the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite, designed by Thalès Alenia Space and launched in September 2022 by Ariane 5. This offer allows its most remotely located B2C and business customers to benefit from a very high-speed broadband experience (theoretically up to 200 Mbit/s downstream and 15 Mbit/s upstream) for the price of a fiber-optic offer.
In 2023, Orange was selected to participate in the IRIS industrial consortium for the sovereign European satellite constellation project, which will contribute to the objectives of the European Union's digital policy and Global Gateway strategy. The main objective is to provide European Union member states with guaranteed access to secure, sovereign connectivity services on a global scale, and to offer a commercial infrastructure that allows for seamless broadband connectivity.
Submarine Cable
The company continued to make substantial investments in international connectivity projects. In April 2023, Orange announced the roll-out of a new submarine cable linking Tunisia and France, co-financed by the European Commission as part of the 'Connecting Europe Facility' (CEF) mechanism. The 1,050-kilometer cable is due to be commissioned at the end of 2025. Named Via Tunisia, this cable is part of the Medusa submarine cable system in the Mediterranean Sea. The entry into force of the construction contract for Via Tunisia was announced in July 2023.
In addition to the Dunant mega-submarine cable, which was commissioned in January 2021, the Amitié transatlantic submarine cable between New York and Europe, commissioned at the end of 2023, allows Orange to offer a unique, robust, ultra-low-latency transatlantic solution between the two continents. In France, Orange is in charge of operating and maintaining the system's landing point, and also provides all Amitié cable partners with the terrestrial infrastructure required for its smooth operation, from the limit of French territorial waters to the new Equinix data center in Bordeaux. Orange also offers its wholesale and business customers connectivity from the United States to European hotspots thanks to the density of its European network, either in dark fiber or via its state-of-the-art WDM optical transport network, and in particular the main European hubs: Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Amsterdam, and London. The routes between Bordeaux and Marseille have been strengthened, to offer the most direct and efficient solution for connecting Africa & Middle East and Asia directly to the United States.
In September 2023 in La Seyne-sur-Mer, Orange Marine inaugurated the Sophie Germain, its new cable-laying ship. By investing in the construction of a state-of-the-art ship, Orange Marine is strengthening its position as a major player in submarine cable surveying, laying, repair and maintenance activities worldwide. Submarine cables play a major role in telecommunications, as they enable the transit of 99% of intercontinental telephone communications and data transfers. This investment is a testament to the company's determination to play a major role in long-distance network infrastructure, with guaranteed global connectivity as its compass. The ship's modern, high-performance design and equipment allow it to operate more efficiently at sea and reduce its environmental footprint.
Capitalizing on Infrastructure
In February 2023, Orange and Vodafone announced that they would cooperate to build and share an Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) in rural areas of Europe where both operators have mobile networks. In mid-2023, Orange activated its first 4G (and soon 2G) Open RAN sites via a commercial network pilot in a rural area of Romania, sharing a network with Vodafone. This agreement, which is a first in Europe, demonstrates the two operators' commitment to rolling out this technology for future mobile networks in Europe and also to supporting the European Commission's goal of rolling out 5G to all populated areas by 2030. Thanks to this new operating model based on the integration of multi-provider equipment and software, Orange and Vodafone each benefit from greater agility when adding new radio sites or upgrading existing ones, while minimizing costs and energy consumption.
In April 2023, Totem, Orange's European TowerCo, announced the roll-out of a next-generation 5G network within the Orange Vélodrome stadium in Marseille, to meet the expectations of the public, organizers and media for various sporting events. The four French telecommunication operators have been able to connect their equipment to the antenna infrastructure rolled out by Totem. Next-generation antennas have been developed for these locations with high mobile usage density, offering consistent high-quality network coverage and high energy efficiency.
Orange implemented its technological expertise and capacity for innovation to connect the planet to the Rugby World Cup 2023. Working hard for over two-and-a-half years, Orange teams provided all the connectivity required for the tournament, in particular through a secure very high-speed broadband image transport network (Broadcast Contribution Network), and offered immersive augmented reality experiences thanks to highly realistic 3D modeling. In order to minimize the environmental footprint of the network infrastructure rolled out for the competition, all installations will be reused for other events or left permanently. Precious metals from over 206,000 telephones were recycled to produce the nearly 1,500 recycled medals given to players.
In 2023, Orange was appointed coordinator of the FranceQCI consortium, which includes Airbus, CNRS, Cryptonext Security, France's Directorate General for Civil Aviation, Orange, Sorbonne Université, Télécom Paris, Thales, Thales Alenia Space, Université CÔte d'Azur, Veriqloud and Welinq. As part of the Digital Europe program, this project represents a significant contribution in France to the objective of rolling out a secure quantum communication infrastructure for the EU (EuroQCI), and paves the way for the future European Quantum Information Network (QIN).
Partnership with Palo Alto Networks
To this end, in June 2023 Orange Business, Orange Cyberdefense and Palo Alto Networks, a global leader in cybersecurity services, announced a new collaboration to deliver a managed Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution that seeks to meet business requirements for network and security, high performance, simplicity and Zero Trust 2.0 network access.This product seeks to meet the needs of businesses looking for agility and whose infrastructure is oriented toward the Cloud, while providing a high level of security.
Launch of the Mobile Private Network Hybrid Solution
In July 2023, Orange unveiled its first hybrid private mobile network, allowing businesses to access both private and public networks simultaneously. The Mobile Private Network hybrid is a two-in-one solution: it provides simultaneous access to both a private network and a public network, Orange France's commercial mobile network. Relying on 5G Stand-Alone (5G SA) technology and utilizing Network Slicing, Edge Computing and Local Break Out functionalities, the solution proposed by Orange Business allows companies to benefit from the advantages of a private network (performance, low and stable latencies, enhanced data security) and the support of existing operator infrastructure.
Launch of the Flexible SD-WAN Solution Integrated into Evolution Platform
In November 2023, Orange Business announced it was strengthening its partnership with VMware by launching the Flexible SD-WAN solution integrated into Evolution Platform. The platform allows companies to define their own combination of services to meet their different needs, while benefiting from Orange Business's top-notch infrastructure and expertise. The platform's automation and service chaining simplify digital infrastructure management, guaranteeing secure user-to-Cloud and Cloud-to-Cloud connectivity, and better integration with unified communications services.
Commercial Launch of Bleu, The Future Trust Cloud Platform
After receiving approval from the European Commission in June 2023, in mid-January 2024 Orange and Capgemini announced the commercial launch of Bleu in strategic partnership with Microsoft. The platform is expected to be launched at the end of 2024 or later on a set of geographically distributed datacenters in France, meeting the most demanding requirements in terms of resilience and availability. The trust Cloud platform project aims to meet the specific needs of the French government, local authorities, hospitals and healthcare facilities, and public or private entities recognized as Operators of Vital Importance (Opérateurs d'Importance Vitale, OIV) or Operators of Essential Services (Opérateurs de Services Essentiels, OSE), allowing them to use Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure services. Bleu is aiming for SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification for its services in 2025.
Strategic Partnerships
In June 2023, Orange Africa & Middle East and Digital Africa signed a strategic partnership to strengthen the support and growth of African start-ups in the 'Orange Digital Centers' network. Selected start-ups can access a range of resources, including mentoring programs, technical assistance, funding, and networking opportunities through the Orange Digital Center (ODC) and the Digital Africa community.
In October 2023, Orange entered into a strategic partnership with start-up Koolboks to bring freezing and refrigeration solutions to 12 African countries through a single piece of equipment. This partnership falls within the scope of its new Orange Energies business, whose ambition is to make digital technology a lever for energy inclusion. With its Orange Smart Energies digital platform, Orange Energies allows households not connected to electricity to use its pay-as-you-go service to acquire solar energy solutions; and with the Orange Money service, these households can pay for and become owners of solar installations and the equipment connected to them. In this way, Orange contributes to the development of income-generating activities (IGA) in rural areas through clean electrification solutions, in line with the United Nations' 7th Sustainable Development Goal.
Launch of the Max it App
At the end of November 2023, Orange launched an app designed to be a true mobile services portal, making life and the digital experience easier for all users on the continent, whether Orange customers or not. Max it brings together three essential service offers in a single smartphone interface: telecoms features for managing mobile and fixed lines; Orange Money, with all local and international money transfer services, payments to billing and merchant partners, credit and savings; and an e-commerce universe offering digital content services (online games, music, TV, videos, news, etc.), as well as innovative digital ticketing. The app has already been downloaded 10 million times. Developed by Orange teams in Africa for African customers, this new app is being launched in five countries (Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Botswana) and will be expanded in 2024 to the 12 other countries where Orange is present in Africa & Middle East.
Operating Activities
Orange provides B2C and B2B customers and other telecommunication operators with a wide range of connectivity services, such as fixed and mobile telecommunications, data transmission and other value-added services, including Mobile Financial Services. The company is present as an operator in 26 countries. In addition to its role as a supplier of connectivity, the company provides enterprise services, primarily solutions in the fields of digital work, security and improving business line processes. As part of its global approach to development, it also offers access to some services (financial, energy, health, education) aiming at covering the essential needs of populations by leveraging its connectivity offer.
For consistency with the segment information in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the company's activities are presented below by business segment (or group of segments): France, Europe, Africa & Middle East, Orange Business, Totem, International Carriers & Shared Services, and Mobile Financial Services.
France
The France business segment includes all fixed and mobile communication services to individuals and companies with fewer than 50 employees in France, as well as wholesale services.
Orange's Business Activities
Orange France's core business involves the provision of fixed telephony, broadband and very high-speed broadband Internet and mobile telephony services for the B2C and Pro-SME markets. Its strategy is based on greater bandwidth in fixed (fiber) and mobile (4G and 5G) networks, promoting the take-up of new services and conquering new areas of growth, while continuing to transform its Customer Relations.
Mobile
In the B2C mobile market, Orange segments its offers into several ranges covering all customers, from those looking for just the essentials in terms of communications or Internet connectivity to those wanting the best smartphones and who have very intense connectivity uses in France and internationally. The Orange brand has six offers for the mobile market, four of which are compatible with 5G technology.
Orange is present on all market segments, including on the entry-level market. In addition to the Orange brand, Orange France also proposes under the Sosh brand several types of mobile subscriptions at attractive prices, only available online, with no commitment and no handset. Since June 2023, 5G has been marketed on Sosh. At the end of December 2023, Sosh had 4.8 million mobile customers.
Since 2015, all the offers sold by Orange are at least 4G compatible, including entry-level market offers. Since 2020, some of these offers are also 5G compatible. Orange is continuing its family focused strategy with the development of multi-line plans through its flagship I+M (Open) offer. I+M (Open) mobile offers are available in the same ranges as conventional mobile offers and include the same levels of service.
Segmenting offers on the B2C and Pro-SME markets allows Orange to continue to grow its subscriber base while the decline in prepaid services continues. At the same time, the MVNO customer base hosted on the Orange network reached more than 1 million customers at end-December 2023, down slightly from end-2022 due to the acquisition of two MVNOs by Bouygues Télécom and SFR.
Fixed Telephony and Internet
In the B2C broadband Internet market, Orange segments its offers into three main categories: Livebox, aimed at customers looking for Internet and TV essentials; Livebox Up, which meets the needs of those wanting the best speeds and a premium TV experience; and, lastly, Livebox Max, which adds in a premium WiFi service. In October 2023, Orange updated this offer with Livebox 7, a new box compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and with speeds of 5 Gbit/s. Livebox 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are now part of the Livebox Up offer.
Sosh has also been present on the broadband Internet market since 2018, with affordable offers, available exclusively online and with no commitment.
The Orange and Sosh broadband Internet access offers are marketed using FTTH technology in eligible areas, or otherwise ADSL. Orange is the market leader in terms of the number of FTTH accesses sold, with a total of more than 8.2 million subscribers at end-2023 over a scope including B2C, professionals and small and medium-sized businesses.
With the steady growth in full unbundling, as well as wholesale subscriptions and naked ADSL access to third-party Internet service providers, the decline in revenues generated by the conventional telephony service business continues.
Since November 27, 2020, Orange is no longer the operator responsible for providing universal services, including connection to a fixed network and telephony service.
Orange also pursues advertising network activities through its websites, which have over 24.4 million unique visitors each month.
Wholesale
Orange Wholesale France (OWF) markets infrastructure, connectivity, fixed and mobile network solutions, and wholesale services in France. In turn, it purchases these services from third-party operators for Orange France and its end-customers. The company is the leader on this market in France. Its main rivals are other network operators, as well as infrastructure operators, such as Altitude and Axione.
The OWF business includes the interconnection of competitive operators, wholesale subscription and traffic services (ADSL and fiber) regulated by Arcep and the construction and marketing of very high-speed broadband fiber optic networks.
Distribution
Since 2020 and the Covid-19 health crisis, the sales channel mix has been deeply disrupted.
Orange France is pressing ahead with its digital development strategy, with a fully digital customer experience in Orange online stores (available on Orange.fr) and Sosh (via Sosh.fr), with Sosh offers only available on the digital channel. In 2023, the number of sales made through the digital channel decreased by 0.3% compared to 2022, mainly due to changes in consumer habits. They account for one-third of all sales.
The Network
Orange's commercial leadership is built partly on its leadership in fixed and mobile networks.
Orange continued to roll out its fiber optic network at a steady pace in 2023. In France, the company gave nearly 3.9 million additional premises access to Orange FTTH during the year (after nearly 5 million in 2022). At end-2023, just under 37.4 million premises were connectable to Orange fiber, a number that includes fiber rolled out to Orange's own networks and third-party networks. According to the observatory report on subscriptions and the roll-out of high-speed and very high-speed broadband (Observatoire des abonnements et déploiements du haut et très haut débit), more than 18 million (i.e. nearly 49%) of the total connectable premises in France owe their connectability to Orange as an infrastructure operator (own infrastructure). This data does not take into account the networks built and operated by Orange Concessions in Public Initiative Networks (PIN) regions.
On January 31, 2022, Orange submitted a copper network switch-off plan to Arcep. Arcep published the plan for public consultation from February 7 to April 4, 2022, and then on July 29, 2022 published a Q&A document with the clarifications and adjustments Orange had made to the plan. The plan states that, during the first phase of the transition, which began in 2020 and will continue until the fiber network roll-out is completed in 2025, copper connection sales will be discontinued on a case by case basis insofar as the four telecom operators have rolled out fiber up to the base point. At the end of 2022, sales had been discontinued on nearly 20 million copper connections. This phase also includes switch-off experiments on a few hundred thousand premises. The first batch of switch-offs was thus launched on December 13, 2022, with the actual shut-off expected in January 2025. From 2026, Orange will no longer sell new ADSL subscriptions and the large-scale switch-off of the copper network will begin. By 2030, it will concern the entire network.
For the mobile network, the roll-out of 4G continued, with an unchanged coverage rate of 99% of the French population, still the best 4G rate in the country. At January 1, 2024, Orange had 31,916 authorized 4G sites in France.
For the thirteenth consecutive time, Orange's mobile network was ranked number one by Arcep in 2023.
On the 5G side, at January 1, 2024, France had 43,673 5G sites authorized by ANFr, of which 21,295 sites were technically operational in the 3.5 GHz spectrum. Orange operates 8,711 of these sites. Since November 2016, the spectrum managers of the European Union Member States have recommended the use of the 3.5 GHz band as the primary band for the introduction of 5G.
In March 2022, Orange announced the phasing out of its 2G and 3G mobile networks by 2030 in all countries where the company is present in the European Union.
Orange Concessions
In 2021, to continue to roll out fiber in rural areas and enhance its infrastructure, Orange consolidated the 24 Public Initiative Networks (PINs) governed by contracts with local authorities, in mainland France and in French Overseas Territories, into one entity, Orange Concessions. For this project, it joined forces with long-term, well-known investors in both infrastructure and local development. Orange Concessions is 50/50 owned by Orange and the HIN consortium comprising La Banque des Territoires (Caisse des DépÔts et Consignations), CNP Assurances and EDF Invest.
Orange Concessions has been operational since November 2021. Assisting local authorities in the digital planning of their territory, it oversees the design, construction and operation of fiber networks, relying on Orange as the leading industrial partner, and handles the marketing to all commercial operators (ISP) in order to offer fiber to their end-customers. Orange Concessions continues to roll out fiber in rural areas in France while sharing the investment effort with its shareholders.
At December 31, 2023, Orange Concessions had made 3.4 million households connectable to fiber and had nearly 1.5 million connected customers. By 2026, the joint venture is expected to be operating nearly 4.6 million FTTH accesses, which will make it the leading infrastructure operator on Public Initiative Networks.
Europe
Outside France, the company operates in seven countries in Europe, where it is implementing its convergence strategy based on the local context and drawing on the strengths of its subsidiaries:
in Spain, where the company is number two in the fixed and mobile markets, and where it created a joint venture with MásMóvil to combine their Spanish activities;
in Poland, where the company is the incumbent operator, leader in fixed-line and number two in mobile;
in Belgium and Luxembourg, where the company launched its convergent offers via partnerships and acquired 75% minus one share in VOO SA; and
in other Central European countries (Romania, Slovakia and Moldova), where the Group, as the leader in the mobile segment, is a convergent player through the roll-out of fiber and its partnerships or acquisitions.
Spain
The company has been present in Spain since the deregulation of the telecommunication market in 1998. Initially operating in the fixed telephony market, it acquired mobile telephony operator Amena in 2005 before adopting the Orange brand in 2006. The acquisition of fixed telephony operator Jazztel in 2015 enabled Orange to consolidate its position in terms of convergence, thanks to Jazztel's fiber coverage. In 2021, Orange Espagne consolidated its brand portfolio to focus on Orange, Jazztel and Simyo. In 2022, Orange and MásMóvil signed an agreement to combine their activities in Spain. In February 2024, the European Commission approved the Orange and MásMóvil joint venture project. This favorable decision takes into account the specific features of the highly competitive Spanish market and provides balanced remedies for an existing operator. The agreement allowed the creation in March 2024 of a company controlled equally by Orange and MásMóvil, with equal governance rights at the level of the combined entity, which will have the financial capacity to continue to invest in the development of Spanish telecom infrastructure.
Orange's Activities in Spain
In a particularly competitive Spanish market, Orange Espagne's priority in 2023 was to build on its growth by focusing on value management and a disciplined promotions policy. Its fixed and mobile networks have been major differentiators, for example due to the launch in February of 5G+ (5G SA network), already rolled out in 51 towns and cities.
In this market, where volume growth is mainly in the low-cost segment, Orange Espagne has continued to create value with full market coverage. This is particularly true of the Orange brand in the premium segment (5G, soccer), where Orange is Movistar's only significant competitor. Orange is also expanding in the entry-level and mid-range segments, owing to its fixed and mobile networks and its ability to adapt its cost structure.
In 2023, Orange Espagne launched the 'Servicio impecable' program to significantly enhance the customer experience. It also continued to improve and simplify its IT systems and tools. Orange is a pioneer in Spain in the use of virtual robots, particularly in the context of improving its customer processes. In December 2023, Orange also launched a new channel on WhatsApp to share its offers and news more widely with the country's population, irrespective of whether they are existing customers.
Orange Espagne has also accelerated its growth in B2B, particularly in the key accounts segment, with the addition of Adif, Port de Barcelona, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Junta de Extremadura, Bosch, ING, Decathlon, Ibercaja, Iberdrola and Pelayo. Orange has continued to innovate for its B2B customers, for example through the use of its 5G SA network and a partnership with Ericsson enabling the creation of private 5G networks.
Ongoing efforts in customer satisfaction and network quality have helped reduce churn, with initiatives, such as 'HIT Wi-Fi AR,' an augmented reality app developed by Orange, which allows its engineers to optimize Wi-Fi coverage throughout its customers' premises.
The Network
In 2023, Orange continued to roll out its fiber optic network by connecting 0.3 million additional households to FTTH over one year. At the end of 2023, Orange was able to offer an FTTH connection to 17.1 million Spanish households.
Orange also focused on the speed of its fixed network, accelerating the roll-out of XGSPON, reaching 1.5 million connectable households with a speed of more than 10 Gbps.
Orange Espagne completed the optimization of the 5G spectrum it had acquired at various auctions, enabling it to increase speeds by 60%. The network can now reach up to 1.5 Gbps. At the end of 2023, 5G population coverage reached 84%, beyond the coverage goal of 50%. Orange Espagne also continued to expand its 4G network, reaching coverage of 99% of the population at the end of 2023.
Poland
The company has been present in Poland since 2000, when it acquired an interest in the incumbent operator, Telekomunikacja Polska (renamed Orange Polska). In 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile activities and, in 2012, for all the fixed telephony services offered by the company in Poland. Orange owns 50.67% of the shares of Orange Polska, which is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Poland has four main mobile telephony operators: Orange, T-Mobile (owned by Deutsche Telekom), Polkomtel (operating under the Plus brand, owned by the Cyfrowy Polsat group) and P4 (owned by Iliad since end-2020, operating under the Play brand). At the end of 2023, these four mobile telephony operators accounted for 98% of the total number of SIM cards in Poland, and Orange was the leading operator, with market share of 28%.
Orange ranks first in the broadband Internet market, with market share of 27% at end-2023. Its principal competition comes from cable TV operators (mainly UPC Polska and Vectra), as well as from Netia (part of the Cyfrowy Polsat group), a conventional telecommunication operator.
The Polish telecommunication market is highly competitive and relatively fragmented. Convergence has become a key element in new residential customer acquisitions. This environment has caused market consolidation to accelerate, in particular among fixed and mobile players. The Cyfrowy Polsat group acquired Netia in 2018. In 2020, Vectra acquired Multimedia Polska, creating the country's leader in the cable market, Play completed the acquisition of Virgin Mobile, Poland's biggest MVNO, and Iliad completed the acquisition of Play. In 2022, Iliad closed the acquisition of UPC Polska, the largest cable operator in Poland. This transaction made Iliad a convergent player in its own right on the Polish market. In the first half of 2023, Play transferred UPC's infrastructure to a new company (Polski ?wiatlowód Otwarty (P?O)) and then sold 50% of PSO's shares to InfraVia, a French investment fund. P?O provides wholesale Internet access services to Play and has communicated its intention to open this network to other operators.
In 2021, Play and Polsat Plus Group also both sold their mobile infrastructure to Cellnex, a Spanish-based infrastructure investor. These transactions facilitated the arrival of a new player, who thus took a significant share of the mobile infrastructure market in Poland.
In 2021, Orange Polska completed the disposal of 50% of its FiberCo to the APG Group.
Orange's Activities in Poland
In 2023, Orange Polska continued to implement its strategic plan,.Grow, for the 2021-2024 period. Despite the many challenges posed by the macroeconomic environment and heightened competition, Orange Polska remains in line with its financial and operational ambitions.
Convergence remains a key growth driver, enabling the company to gain and maintain customer trust and loyalty. In 2023, Orange Polska continued to focus its efforts on its Love convergent offers. Love is a package that includes both fixed and mobile services in its basic formula at an affordable price. It can be extended for higher fixed broadband speed, additional SIM cards, enhanced TV content and other value-added services.
Orange Polska now has more Internet customers on fiber than on copper, which is an important symbol of its technological transformation. This good performance was driven by strong demand for fixed broadband, as well as the continued growth of its presence in fiber, mainly due to partnerships with other fiber infrastructure providers. Orange Polska has been limiting the roll-out of its own fiber since it sold 50% of its shares in its FiberCo in 2021.
For several years, Orange Polska's business strategy has focused on creating value by adjusting the price of its main online services according to the 'more for more' principle. Orange Polska maintained this approach in 2023, taking high inflation into account as well, and thus increased the rates for its fixed and convergent offers.
In the B2B market, Orange Polska continued to strengthen its position as the preferred partner for the digital transformation of its customers. IT and Integration Services continued to enjoy robust growth, with a 14% increase in revenues compared with 2022 (on a comparable basis).
The Network
Orange Polska continued the growth of its FTTH coverage in 2023, reaching almost 8 million connectable households at the end of the year.
In 2021, Orange Polska sold 50% of the capital of its ?wiatlowód Inwestycje subsidiary (the Polish FiberCo) to the APG group. Orange and APG jointly control the Polish FiberCo. The FiberCo expects to connect approximately 1.7 million Polish households to fiber, mainly in areas with limited fixed broadband infrastructure. As a result of the creation of its FiberCo, future growth in Orange Polska's fiber coverage will be achieved mainly through access to the FiberCo's network, as well as the networks of other fixed infrastructure players.
In October 2023, Orange Polska acquired a 100 MHz spectrum block in the 3,400-3,800 MHz band ('C-band') for 15 years. The acquisition is expected to significantly boost the capacity of its mobile network, providing the necessary resources for the growth in traffic, as well as better quality of service. In the medium term, this spectrum should also open up opportunities for B2B customers.
Orange Polska is continuing to systematically modernize its radio network. As part of this project, active equipment is being replaced by more energy-efficient equipment that meets the latest technology standards.
In 2023, Orange Polska continued to operate its new 5G Lab, a place to develop and test solutions that use 5G, collaborate with start-ups, and present innovative solutions to businesses using the same 5G spectrum as the future Polish 5G network.
Belgium & Luxembourg
In Belgium and Luxembourg, Orange operates via Orange Belgium and its subsidiary, Orange Communications Luxembourg. Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange. Following a takeover bid, completed on May 4, 2021, the company holds 78.32% of the capital of Orange Belgium. A long-standing player in the mobile segment in Belgium, in 2016 Orange launched convergent offers across the entire country based on the regulation of wholesale access to cable. In June 2023, in line with its convergence strategy, Orange Belgium finalized the acquisition of 75% minus one share of VOO, a cable and MVNO player in south Brussels and Wallonia.
Belgium
Orange has two main competitors in the mobile telephony market: Proximus (the incumbent operator, 53.5% owned by the Belgian State) and Telenet (100% owned by the Liberty Global Group, since the public takeover bid in October 2023), which acquired Base in 2016. With a market share of 30.9% in the third quarter of 2023, Orange ranks second behind Proximus.
The competitive structure of the fixed telephony market changed drastically in 2023, with three major events:
in January 2023, Orange Belgium and Telenet signed two commercial wholesale agreements providing mutual access to their respective fixed networks;
in June 2023, Orange Belgium finalized the acquisition of VOO. The transaction gives Orange Belgium 75% minus one share of VOO, with the rest of the capital still held by Nethys;
In July 2023, Telenet and Fluvius created Wyre, their new 'NetCo,' which became the owner of their respective networks. The new joint venture will roll out a fiber network in Flanders.
Orange's Activities in Belgium
Throughout 2023, Orange continued its value and innovation strategy for its customers by introducing new offers on the market. In particular, the company:
Strengthened the Hey! brand by launching a new competitively priced fixed Internet subscription and doubling the volume of data in its mobile offers; and
Launched new gigabit fiber offers, among a complete set of fixed Internet packages, with a choice of speeds ranging from 150 Mbps and 400 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
In 2023, taking advantage of the acquisition of VOO, and in line with its Lead The Future strategy, Orange Belgium became the first Belgian telecom operator to have a national gigabit offer, enabling the country's inhabitants to benefit from high speeds of up to 1 Gbps on its high-performance cable network.
Orange Belgium also continued to focus on its 5G network, renowned for its speed - Opensignal has rated its 5G download speed as the best in Belgium - and its ability to come up with innovative applications. As a result, the Belgian federal government has chosen Orange Belgium to run 11 different 5G pilot projects.
Luxembourg
Orange started its operations in Luxembourg in 2007, via the acquisition of Voxmobile. The company adopted the Orange brand in 2009.
In the mobile segment, Orange Communications Luxembourg, with market share of approximately 15%, ranks third behind incumbent operator Post Luxembourg, the market leader, and Proximus Luxembourg, a subsidiary of Belgian operator Proximus, with its Tango brand. Post Luxembourg also has the largest market share in the fixed-line and Internet market.
In 2023, Orange continued to adapt its portfolio, in line with its position as a challenger, while taking advantage of the 5G launched in 2020. The company is focusing on innovation and customer experience via the launch of its Livebox. It has also introduced new, comprehensive fiber offers in a simpler format, allowing it to meet its customers' needs at an attractive price point.
Central Europe
Romania
A long-standing player in the mobile segment, Orange launched its satellite TV offers in 2013, then its fiber offer in 2016, following a wholesale agreement with Telekom. In 2021, in line with its convergent ambitions in Romania, Orange acquired 54% of fixed telephony operator Telekom Romania Communications (TKR, now Orange Romania Communications - OROC), the remaining 46% still being held by the Romanian government.
The Romanian telecommunication market is dominated by four operators, three of which provide convergent services, namely Orange, Vodafone, and RCS&RDS (operating under the Digi brand, owned by Digi Communications), and one mobile operator, Telekom (owned by OTE, itself jointly controlled by Deutsche Telekom and the Greek government).
On November 21, OTE announced that negotiations were under way for the sale of Telekom Romania Mobile to Quantum Projects Group, a company controlled by the owner of the Romanian media group Clever Media. According to a press release, an agreement has been signed and the deal has been submitted to the relevant authorities for approval.
In the mobile telephony market, Orange's market share was estimated at 36% at the end of the first half of 2023. Orange has maintained its leading position, followed by Vodafone, Telekom and Digi.
With the acquisition of OROC and the launch of its own fiber network, Orange has strengthened its position on the fixed market, which is nonetheless still dominated by Digi.
Orange's Activities in Romania
In 2023, Orange reached new milestones following the acquisition of OROC, successfully migrating OROC MVNO customers to the Orange network and finalizing the satellite migration. On December 29, Orange and the Romanian government announced an agreement to merge Orange Romania and Orange Romania Communications. The two shareholders confirmed their intention to create a fully converged telecommunication operator via the absorption of OROC by ORO. The deal was finalized with the merger agreement signed on March 21, 2024 with the Romanian State defining the terms of the merger by absorption of Orange Romania Communications by Orange Romania, the Romanian State keeping a stake in the combined entity.
At the end of 2023, Orange Romania had 9.5 million mobile customers, 1.1 million fixed Internet customers and 1.1 million television customers. Customers are counted by 'RGUs' (revenue generating units).
On the network side, Orange continued to ramp up its 4G operations, with population coverage now reaching 98.77% nationwide and 99.72% in urban areas.
In 2023, Ookla named Orange Romania as having the fastest fixed network in Romania. In addition, according to Ancom, Orange has had the highest average mobile and fixed speeds over the past six years. Meanwhile, independent auditor LCC International considers Orange Romania to be the best Romanian mobile network on account of the performance of its Voice and Data mobile services, both in urban and rural areas.
As the company's first country to market 5G, Orange Romania continued to roll out its 5G network, available in 38 cities at end-2023, and launched 5G+, with speeds reaching up to 1.5 Gbps. The second Orange 5G Lab opened in Iasi. Six new start-ups joined the Orange Fab program following a call for projects dedicated to 5G. Orange also announced its participation in six international consortia under the Horizon Europe program. This will contribute to the sustainable development of 5G and pave the way for 6G.
Orange Romania also came up with innovative new offers. For example, during the second half of 2023, 5G and eSIM technologies were rolled out for prepaid customers. In addition, Orange Romania launched Fibra 2300, the fastest fiber subscription in the country, with a download speed of up to 2,100 Mbps and an upload speed of 1,000 Mbps, as well as high-performance equipment, such as the Wi-Fi 6 router and Mesh Ultra Wi-Fi 6 technology, which boosts Wi-Fi coverage.
In 2023, as part of its CO2 emissions reduction program, Orange Romania installed rooftop solar panels at two additional Data centers, in Brasov and Timisoara. Orange Romania also signed a contract with ENGIE for the virtual purchase of long-term renewable energy. Under this contract, Orange Romania will generate 30 GWh of its annual electricity needs from solar panels over the next six years. Orange Foundation Romania opened its new training facility, the Orange Digital Center, with the aim of bridging the digital divide.
In August 2023, Orange announced that it had reached an agreement on the transfer of Orange Money's retail business to Alpha Bank Romania.
Slovakia
Orange Slovensko started operating in 1996 and adopted the Orange brand in 2002. A long-standing player in the mobile segment, Orange Slovensko strengthened its position in convergent offers thanks to its own fiber roll-out program and the launch of fixed solutions via LTE in 2017.
Slovakia's fixed broadband market is dominated by the incumbent operator, Slovak Telekom (owned by the Deutsche Telekom group), which has infrastructure covering the entire country. Orange Slovensko ranks second, with a market share of 17.6%. Nevertheless, the roll-out of its proprietary fiber optic network and regulated access to Slovak Telekom's fixed network allow Orange Slovensko to provide fixed broadband services to the largest number of potential customers.
Orange Slovensko has three main competitors in the mobile telephony market: O2 (owned by Emirates Telecommunication Group Company), Slovak Telekom (owned by Deutsche Telekom) and Swan (national operator, operating under the 4ka brand). 4ka began offering mobile services in October 2015, but remains a marginal player. With a market share of 31.7%, Orange Slovensko remains the market leader. In 2022, O2 moved into second place on this market, followed closely by Slovak Telecom.
Orange's activities in Slovakia
In 2023, Orange Slovensko continued to implement its strategy, which consists of strengthening its position in the convergence market, backed up by its substantial market share in mobile telephony combined with growing market share in fixed telephony and TV.
Orange Slovensko markets a number of innovative offers, particularly its Love convergent services. In 2023, Orange Slovensko focused on streamlining its portfolio of fixed and mobile offers and making them more attractive, while enhancing its customer loyalty program and adding security services. In the B2B segment, Orange Slovensko has entered a new era of enterprise services thanks to 5G, while continuing to develop AI and IoT solutions with a focus on cybersecurity.
Alongside the improvement in its portfolio of offers and the customer experience, Orange Slovensko has demonstrated its commitment to climate action through an ambitious program to roll out solar panels to its mobile antennas. At the end of 2023, 470 had already been equipped. Orange is the only Slovak operator to implement such a large-scale program. Every base station that is equipped with solar panels prevents the emission of several hundreds of kilos of CO2 per year.
In 2023, Orange Slovensko continued its partnerships with the Slovak University of Technology and the University of Zilina to develop 5G solutions for Slovak industry. This partnership aims to improve students' access to 5G technologies and create a space to develop 5G solutions for Industry 4.0.
Orange Slovensko also continued to invest in its network infrastructure. The 5G network, launched in 2021 in Bratislava and Banska Bystrica, reached 65.6% of the population at the end of 2023. The Orange mobile network was recognized as the best in Slovakia for the fourth consecutive year by Commsquare (formerly 'Systemics PAB'). Orange also expanded its own FTTH network, reaching more than 585,000 connectable households at end-2023, and can provide fiber services to nearly 600,000 additional households through network partnerships.
Moldova
Orange Moldova started operating in 1998 and adopted the Orange brand in 2007, celebrating its 25th anniversary in October 2023. During this time, Orange Moldova has become the telecommunications market leader and a key player in the country's economy. A long-standing player in the mobile segment, Orange Moldova launched its fixed and convergent telephony services in 2017, following the 2016 acquisition of SUN Communications, Moldova's main cable operator. In 2023, Orange Moldova merged with Sun Communications to streamline its organizational structure.
Moldova's main telecommunication operators are Orange Moldova, Moldcell (part of a Nepal-based conglomerate since 2020) and Moldtelecom. Moldtelecom is the incumbent operator; its infrastructure provides both fixed and mobile services. It is the leader in Internet and fixed telephony. In 2023, with a market share of 50.1%, Orange maintained its number one position in the mobile telephony market, followed by Moldcell and Moldtelecom.
Orange's activities in Moldova
In 2023, Orange Moldova continued to pursue its strategic goals, despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical uncertainty due to the armed conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
In 2023, in line with its ambition to bolster its position in fixed broadband and become the country's first fully convergent operator, Orange Moldova rolled out fiber in more than 20 new locations and expanded coverage in the country's two largest cities. Orange Moldova also successfully completed its fiber migration project, migrating all its cable customers to the new fiber technology. As a result of this project, it has been able to improve the customer experience and decommission its cable network.
Achieving a leadership position in the mobile segment remains a priority for Orange Moldova, which reached 2.3 million mobile lines at the end of the third quarter of 2023. Amid persistent inflation in 2023 and to promote revenue growth, Orange Moldova revised the price of its plans with a 'more for more' approach. It also launched a more expensive prepaid kit. To boost value creation, a new portfolio of plans was unveiled in the fourth quarter of 2023. This included the flagship 'Roam like Home' offer, a premium plan available in Europe from December 21.
In the B2B segment, Orange Moldova focused on IT&IS growth, differentiating itself and increasing its market share by expanding its portfolio of offers, with new services such as mobile PBX, customer satisfaction scoring and cybersecurity solutions.
The company doubled down on its CSR commitments by opening its Orange Digital Center, a digital training hub, and launching its 'RE' platform, an umbrella for its circular economy projects (in-store recovery of unwanted phones, sale of refurbished devices). It also unveiled new initiatives in 2023, including the launch of the 'Trade-in' program and the first 'RE' space in an Orange store.
Orange Moldova also continued to invest in the country's infrastructure. The company operates the most extensive and fastest 2G/3G/4G network, with 4G population coverage of 99%. For the eleventh consecutive year, Orange Moldova's network was rated 'Best Moldovan mobile network in the test' by Polish company Systemics PAB.
Africa & Middle East
The company is present in 18 countries in Africa & Middle East, including 16 where it has controlling interests and two (Tunisia and Mauritius) where it has minority interests. Part of the activities are structured into sub-groups (Sonatel and CÔte d'Ivoire). Orange operates in both the mobile and fixed markets.
The mobile markets are mainly prepaid markets, largely driven by the accelerated development of data and digital uses. Orange is pursuing a 4G roll-out strategy and is investing in all countries to upgrade and extend their access networks. The first 5G roll-outs took place in 2022, continued in 2023, and will accelerate to cover almost the entire region by 2025.
Despite increasingly intense competition, the company also saw rapid development in multi-services, particularly Mobile Financial Services with its Orange Money offer and digital services with the mobile super-app Max it. Given the arrival of a new competitor in four countries in the region (Senegal, CÔte d'Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso) in 2021, Orange changed the business model for its offer and accelerated its digitization, but was still significantly impacted in 2021 and 2022. By fostering a collective response, the company was able to bounce back in its various geographical regions (with the exception of Senegal, where its leadership remains contested at this stage). It has 92.9 million customers, 34.1 million of whom are active customers using the service each month.
In digital services, Orange intends to become the benchmark digital operator in Africa & Middle East. The sector has been a growth driver for the company for many years and remains a key component of its strategy. The digital strategy is spearheaded by the mobile super-app 'Max it,' initially launched in five countries in November 2023 (Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Botswana). It will be rolled out across the sector by the third quarter of 2024. This is a perfect example of the company's strategy to diversify services in response to the needs of local communities. More than just an app, it is a services portal that everyone can access, designed to make day-to-day life easier and satisfy a wide variety of needs. It brings together three essential service offers in a single smartphone interface: telecom capabilities, mobile payment and money transfer solutions with Orange Money, and an e-commerce universe offering digital content, as well as innovative digital ticketing. The service universe will be completed over the course of 2024 and 2025 through Orange Energy, Healthcare, Insurance and Education in particular.
In the fixed broadband market, Orange is speeding up the roll-out, particularly of fiber; it had 1.2 million customers at end-2023.
Besides a challenging geopolitical situation, countries in the Africa & Middle East business segment are tending to see tighter regulations on quality of service and compliance with environmental standards, as well as a high tax burden.
Sonatel sub-group
The Sonatel sub-group operates under the Orange brand in five countries. It also operates in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau (operations launched in 2007) and Sierra Leone, where it acquired Airtel Sierra Leone in 2016. The company owns 42.33% of the Sonatel sub-group and has control based on a shareholders' agreement. Sonatel is listed on the West Africa Regional Stock Exchange (Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières - BRVM).
With mobile market volume shares of 57.7% in Senegal, 69.3% in Guinea, 55.6% in Mali, 63.5% in Guinea-Bissau and 53.4% in Sierra Leone, Orange is the leader in all its geographical areas.
Depending on the country, the company has two or three competitors: Free (whose brand was launched in October 2019 to replace Tigo) and Expresso (Sudatel group) in Senegal; Sotelma/Malitel (Maroc Telecom group) and Alpha Telecom (Planor-Monaco Telecom International consortium) in Mali; MTN and Cellcom in Guinea; MTN in Guinea-Bissau; and (the incumbent operator), Africell and QCell in Sierra Leone.
The Sonatel sub-group continues to develop very high-speed fixed and mobile broadband based on 4G/4G+ (and tests for 5G), FDD/TDD and fiber, as well as mobile data. In 2023, data services achieved double-digit growth in all sub-group countries.
The multi-services business gathered pace in 2023, both in relation to the Orange Money service - which continued to see overall growth in its active customer base and total annual transaction value - and in relation to digital multi-services with the launch of the mobile super-app Max it in Senegal and Mali.
Despite increasing competition, often unfavorable regulatory decisions and political instability in some countries, the Sonatel Group was able to maintain its financial equilibrium in 2023 owing to steady growth and increased profitability.
The Sonatel group is a key player in the economic development of all the countries where it operates through digital, financial and energy inclusion. It also helps support health care, education, local entrepreneurship and the development of a true digital ecosystem.
CÔte d'Ivoire sub-group
The CÔte d'Ivoire sub-group operates under the Orange brand in three countries. The activity covers CÔte d'Ivoire, where the company has operated since 1996, and Burkina Faso and Liberia, where it acquired Cellcom Liberia and Airtel Burkina Faso in 2016. This represents an area with a population of more than 56 million. The company owns 72.5% of the CÔte d'Ivoire sub-group.
Orange is the leader in CÔte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Liberia. In CÔte d'Ivoire, it has a 47.5% market share. In Burkina Faso, Orange holds a market share of 45.9% of mobile subscribers. In Liberia, Orange strengthened its leadership position with a market share of 54.6%.
The three entities each face the following main competitors in their geographical region: MTN and Moov Africa in CÔte d'Ivoire; Moov Africa and Telecel in Burkina Faso; and MTN in Liberia.
Orange is also the market leader in Mobile Financial Services in CÔte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. In light of the intense competitive pressure tied to Wave's arrival in CÔte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, the response plan implemented by Orange Money helped accelerate growth in uses and value in 2023.
In 2023, the sub-group's activity was affected by widespread inflation in the countries in the region, stiff competition and a challenging security situation in Burkina Faso. In Liberia, the year saw a sharp depreciation of the Liberian dollar, presidential elections and the accession to power of a new President.
FTTH development became one of the sub-group's most powerful growth drivers. At end-2023, Orange had close to 220,000 customers in CÔte d'Ivoire. In Burkina Faso, Orange launched the FTTH service in June 2021 and had over 23,000 customers at the end of 2023.
The CÔte d'Ivoire sub-group ensures that its strategy, investments and innovation create lasting value for all stakeholders. Digital equality and environmental footprint reduction are central to the CSR strategy of the sub-group, which has consistently strengthened its social impact through various initiatives based around entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and the environmental transition. For the second consecutive year, the sub-group published its Social Report, aimed at all stakeholders, in which it presented its achievements and ambitions.
In December 2022, the CÔte d'Ivoire sub-group reached a major milestone in its development strategy with its initial public offering on the BRVM through the sale of nearly 15 million shares owned by the Ivoirian government, equivalent to 9.95% of the capital.
Countries in North Africa and the Middle East
Egypt
The company entered the Egyptian telecommunication market in 1998 through a partnership in the operator, Mobinil, with Orascom and Motorola. It gradually increased its stake following the withdrawal of Motorola in 2000 and Orascom in 2015. Since 2016, all services have been marketed under the Orange brand. In 2018, Orange Egypt was delisted from the Egyptian Exchange.
With a share of the mobile market of 26.25%, Orange ranks second in the market, behind Vodafone but ahead of Etisalat and WE (Télécom Egypt).
In 2023, Orange Egypt recorded double-digit revenue growth, exceeding its growth in 2022 despite an unstable economic environment, significantly affected by high inflation and a series of sharp devaluations of the Egyptian pound from March 2022. The company continued to implement its transformation plan to increase its profitability.
Morocco
The company entered the Moroccan telecommunication market in 2010 through a partnership with Médi Telecom. The company, which was operating under the Méditel brand, became a consolidated subsidiary of the company in July 2015, after Orange increased its interest to 49% of the capital. Since the end of 2016, all services have been marketed under the Orange brand.
With 32.5% of the mobile market, Orange is the country's second-largest mobile operator (behind the incumbent operator, Maroc Telecom, and ahead of Inwi).
In a Moroccan market where growth remains below GDP, Orange Maroc continued to grow in mobile telephony and to pursue its development in fixed telephony, particularly in fiber. At the end of 2023 it passed the 300,000 customer mark, equivalent to a 38% market share.
A powerful earthquake hit the country in September 2023. The resilience of the network and the rapid response of Orange Maroc's employees, particularly its technical teams, allowed connectivity to be restored in less than 48 hours in most of the affected areas, providing support to the authorities and public.
Jordan
The company entered the Jordanian telecommunication market in 2000, through a partnership with the incumbent operator, Jordan Telecom. The company became a consolidated subsidiary of the company in 2006, after Orange increased its interest to 51% of the capital. Since the end of 2007, all services have been marketed under the Orange brand.
With a share of the mobile market of 30.2%, Orange is the country's second-largest mobile operator, behind Zain and ahead of Umniah.
Orange is also a leader in the fixed market through its ADSL Internet offers, together with FTTH, launched in 2016. Orange continued its large-scale fiber roll-out to all of the country's major towns and cities, exceeding the symbolic threshold of 250,000 customers in October 2023. Zain and Umniah are also growing competitors in this segment. In addition, 2023 saw the commercial launch of the first 5G offers.
Orange also consolidated its position as digital market leader with the accelerated expansion of Orange Money, which opened 1 million accounts in 2023, as well as on Jood, the market's first digital app.
Tunisia
Orange Tunisie launched its activity in May 2010 after acquiring its license in July 2009. The company is a partner, with 49% of the capital.
Orange's volume share of the mobile market is 26.5%, placing it in third position behind Ooredoo, which maintains its leading position, and Tunisie Telecom.
In 2023, Orange Tunisie continued to strengthen its market position with growing customer bases and revenues. Orange Tunisia's value market share (excluding FSI) is 23.6%.
Countries of Central and Southern Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The company entered the Congolese telecommunication market in 2011 through the acquisition of Congo Chine Telecom. In 2016, Orange acquired the Congolese subsidiary of the Millicom group, which operated under the Tigo brand.
Orange's volume share of the mobile market is 26.6%, placing Orange in third place behind Airtel and Vodacom, which remains the market leader, and ahead of Africell.
In 2023, despite a 40% depreciation of the Congolese franc year on year, Orange DRC enjoyed solid commercial momentum, with revenue growth buoyed by the significant expansion of mobile data, Orange Money, B2B and the fiber optic launch in Kinshasa.
Orange was the first operator to launch 4G, and in 2023 continued to roll out mobile broadband network infrastructure to DRC's main towns and cities.
The year 2023 was also once again marked by the intensification of regulatory and tax-related investigations by the various Congolese authorities.
Cameroon
The company has been present in Cameroon since the liberalization of the telecommunication sector in 1999. All services, initially launched under the Mobilis brand, have been marketed under the Orange brand since 2002.
With a market share of 48.6% in 2023 (GSMA fourth quarter 2023 estimates), Orange has become the country's leading operator ahead of MTN, Nexttel and Camtel.
In 2023, Orange Cameroun once again achieved a very high level of business growth of 13.4%, buoyed by the very strong development of mobile data and Orange Money services and by the robust resilience of outgoing voice.
Orange Cameroun has finalized the transfer of financial activities to the new entity Orange Money Cameroun.
In addition, the official pan-African launch of the super-app Max it took place in Douala on November 24, 2023. This mobile services portal can be accessed by everyone, whether Orange customers or not.
Botswana
The Group holds a 73.68% stake in the company.
In 2023, Orange Botswana cemented its new status as market leader with a value market share of 37.6% (Orange Botswana internal estimates, third quarter 2023), ahead of Mascom and Be Mobile. On the volume side, Mascom remains the market leader with 43.2% market share, closely followed by Orange at 38.9%.
Orange Botswana enjoyed excellent growth in its business of 11.8% in 2023, thanks to the continued success of its mobile data and Orange Money services,
In 2023, Orange Botswana officially opened its new data center in Gaborone, the country's first Tier III infrastructure and an asset for Botswana.
Madagascar
The company has been present in Madagascar since 1998, and since 2003 under the Orange brand. The Group holds an 87.94% stake in the company.
Orange is Madagascar's second-largest mobile operator, behind the incumbent operator Telma and ahead of Airtel and Blueline, with market share of 24.5%.
In 2023, the growth of Orange Madagascar's business was attributed to voice, mobile data, the ongoing expansion of TDD fixed services (with the Wifiber offer, which remains highly popular), Orange Money's activities in digital services and international transfers and B2B activities. In addition, 2023 also saw the ramped-up roll-out of mobile broadband network infrastructure to the country's main towns and cities and Orange Madagascar's acquisition of a global license.
Central African Republic
In 2023, Orange Centrafrique confirmed its leadership position on the Central African Republic market, ahead of Telecel and Moov, with market share of 57.1%.
Orange Centrafrique completed the construction of a new data center in Bangui, which had been planned since the fire in 2021.
Mauritius
The company has been present in Mauritius since 2000, through a partnership with the incumbent operator, Mauritius Telecom, in which it holds 40% of the capital.
Mauritius Telecom is the leader in Internet and fixed telecommunication services in Mauritius, ahead of DCL, and in mobile services, ahead of Emtel and MTML, with market share of 52.24% at end-2023.
The operator offers a comprehensive range of fixed and mobile voice and data services. It also offers convergent services (voice, IP and TV) through its MyT service. The first operator to launch 4G and a mobile payment service in 2012, Mauritius Telecom launched its fiber optic network (FTTH) in 2013 and now covers almost all of the country's households and businesses. Mauritius Telecom was also the first operator to launch 5G in 2021.
One of the main growth drivers for Mauritius Telecom is content, with, in particular, a strategy of investing in premium content, enabling the company to strengthen its position as market leader.
Mauritius Telekom also offers international connectivity via fiber optic submarine cables.
Orange Business
The Orange Business (formerly Enterprise) business segment includes telecommunication services and digital services to key accounts, local authorities and companies with over 50 employees in France, as well as multinationals around the world.
Operating under its new Orange Business brand, Orange is a world-leading provider of support for the digital transformation of businesses. As an infrastructure operator, technology integrator and value-added service provider, Orange Business provides a complete portfolio of offers designed to assist its customers in carrying out their digital transformation projects and implementing their communication projects (connectivity, Internet of Things, Cloud, AI, app development). Combining the precision of a network and connectivity expert with the agility of a global digital solutions integrator, Orange Business balances its international presence with a local approach to help its customers get the most out of digital, networks and the Cloud via data and service platforms. With Lead the future, Orange Business is profoundly transforming its model to adapt to the new realities of a market where the boundaries between networks and digital services are disappearing.
Orange Business leverages the standards expected of it as an operator in terms of reliability and performance to drive its expansion in IT services through an ambitious acquisitions policy in Cloud Computing and data. This led to the acquisition of Business & Decision and Basefarm in 2018, of Exelus in 2022 and of Expertime, a services company specializing in Microsoft technology, in 2023. It was followed in early 2024 by the launch of Bleu, a future 'trust Cloud' platform set up as a 50/50 joint venture with Capgemini, in partnership with Microsoft. In 2023, Enovacom, a healthcare subsidiary of Orange Business and the French market leader in medical data interoperability, acquired NEHS Digital and Xperis, two French companies specializing in the development of solutions for healthcare professionals, a sector in which the company plans to accelerate its service provision.
In 2018, Orange merged its cybersecurity activities into Orange Cyberdefense to ensure a high level of internal cybersecurity and simultaneously develop Orange's commercial activities in this strategic area. Orange Cyberdefense combines the legacy security expertise and infrastructure of Orange with those of Atheos and Lexsi, acquired in 2014 and 2016, respectively, of SecureData and SecureLink, both acquired in 2019, and of the Swiss companies SCRT and Telsys, acquired in 2022. These acquisitions give Orange Cyberdefense a presence in nine European countries.
Orange Business Activities
Orange offers a wide range of products and services, including those that are packaged or tailor-made and using different methods such as integrated, managed or Cloud, designed to guide businesses in their digital transformation, and structured around their main challenges (connectivity, mobility, streamlining of processes, smoothness of exchanges with customers and support for their projects).
Orange has structured its portfolio of offers around four main types of products and services:
Fixed telephony (conventional and IP) and audio conference services;
Mobile telephony services;
Network services, including certain service guarantee levels (mobile and fixed connectivity, data transfer, hybrid networks, fixed and mobile convergent services);
IT and Integration Services, including Cloud solutions, digital & data solutions, cybersecurity solutions, intelligent mobility solutions, unified communication and collaboration services, and customer services and consulting:
Cloud solutions include virtualization and the development of 'aaS' (as a Service) solutions and business models that B2B customers are embracing. Orange Business has positioned itself as an integrator capable of orchestrating and building on the various application building blocks of its customers, including the most critical ones - end-to-end in a multi-cloud environment - for both the public or private Cloud. Beyond its own infrastructure (70 Data centers) and its 2,500 experts, Orange is developing a strategy of alliance with major industry players, such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services,
Digital & Data solutions, including the Business & Decision subsidiary and its 3,700 experts in data intelligence and digital solutions, comprise the integration and provision of systems, business apps and application programming interfaces (API), as well as the design of digital solutions for customers in Big Data, data analytics and artificial intelligence. Through its Enovacom subsidiary, Orange also offers healthcare players tailored solutions to meet the challenges of digital transformation,
Cybersecurity solutions cover infrastructure and users, in managed and integrated or Cloud mode (safe work environments and infrastructure, cybersecurity, management and governance), and are supervised from a security operations center. Thanks to its 2,800+ experts and 32 detection centers, Orange Cyberdefense, which also has at its disposal multiple Orange Business locations around the world, leverages Orange's 30 years of experience in making at-risk infrastructure secure, whether for SMEs, local authorities or multinational corporations around the world,
Smart mobility solutions, based not only on mobile technologies, but also on the IoT (Internet of Things),
Unified communication and collaboration services, including interoperability between telephony, messaging and video conference solutions, in triple or quadruple play,
Lastly, advice and services to customers, including needs analysis, solution architecture, support from roll-out to implementation, user training and administration of services and solutions in a range of areas: transition to all-IP, adopting Machine to Machine and the Internet of Things, supervising and managing quality of service, switching to Cloud infrastructure solutions, and the digital transformation of companies.
These services are also used to develop cross-sector business solutions (finance, transport, energy, government and public sector, geolocation and fleet management, etc.).
As regards its core business as an operator, Orange relies on local and international partners to supplement its offer and geographical coverage in areas where its customers operate and where its presence does not provide a comprehensive solution. The company is strengthening this type of partnership in the most developed markets, both on points of presence to optimally manage customer traffic, as with Equinix, and with leading operators in the geographic regions concerned, such as AT&T or NTT Communications.
Orange also works in close collaboration with an ecosystem of international technological partners, who are leaders in their respective fields of connectivity, unified communication, contact centers, Cloud infrastructure, effective data use and cybersecurity. In parallel with the digital transformation of enterprises, Orange strengthened various aspects of its solutions in 2023:
Development of a managed, secure connectivity offer. This solution, which contributes to the gradual shift in customer practices, especially toward the Cloud, also balances the continuity of existing practices via SD-WAN, SASE and SSE type solutions. In 2023, Orange developed and strengthened its ecosystem with new signings such as Cisco, Fortinet, Netskope, Palo Alto, VMware and Zscaler, among others;
Innovation around the Cloud. Since 2020, Orange has established strategic partnerships with the main hyperscalers (Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, GCP) around data services, artificial intelligence, the Cloud, edge computing, mobile private networks and digital transformation. Furthermore, with sovereignty becoming a major topic of the digital transformation for businesses, Orange Business is pursuing two complementary development vectors: the first through an independent company named Bleu, a joint venture with Capgemini and in partnership with Microsoft as technology provider; and the second through its Cloud Avenue offering, developed in partnership with HPE and WMware.
Orange is developing partnerships with service players to enhance the operational performance of French manufacturers: for example, the partnership with Siemens in the Industry 4.0 segment in automation and digital transformation solutions, in order to allow French industrial groups to fully maximize the potential of digitization. In this perspective, the partnership proposes end-to-end support, ranging from consulting to integration and analysis.
Lastly, with regard to the company's CSR commitments, Orange is taking an increasingly green approach with its partners, particularly Apple (recycled mobiles) and Cisco (network equipment).
In 2023, Orange Business signed major contracts to support its customers worldwide, including Lucid Motors, the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer, to orchestrate the manufacturer's customer experience in Europe via approved and tested electronic communication services (ECS) for Internet access services, as well as IoT; and with Stolt-Nielsen, the global expert in liquid product management and sustainable aquaculture, to provide it with a SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) solution combining SD-WAN connectivity with SSE (Security Service Edge) services to secure and optimize the connectivity of its teleworkers around the world.
Totem
Totem, Orange's European TowerCo, was created on November 1, 2021. Orange has transferred all the key assets of its passive mobile infrastructure in France and Spain to this subsidiary. The creation of this independently managed entity allows Orange to strengthen its position as a manager and operator of mobile infrastructure and to benefit from new growth drivers. Totem manages close to 27,300 masts, flat rooftops and other mobile sites in its geographies, and aims to become a leading player in the European TowerCo market.
Totem offers infrastructure-sharing solutions to mobile operators, businesses and institutions; responds to requests to build new sites; and markets mobile coverage solutions to improve connectivity in dense and enclosed environments, such as stadiums, subways, shopping malls, offices, etc.
Totem has chosen a strong brand name that embodies its vision: mobile infrastructure is the totem of the company's digital civilization, offering connectivity solutions to everyone, everywhere, in both rural and urban areas. Totem's intention is to unite all stakeholders - operators, local authorities, institutions, businesses and lessors - on its infrastructure to meet the growing need for connectivity.
Following the increase in the cost of debt (with the rise in interest rates), the leading TowerCos have prioritized operational efficiency over acquisitions, which dominated in previous years. The European leader Cellnex sold 49% of its subsidiaries in Denmark and Sweden and put its subsidiaries in Ireland and Austria up for sale to accelerate its deleveraging. American Tower sold its subsidiary in Poland to focus on its subsidiaries in Spain, Germany and France. In Western Europe, there were few transactions with low site volumes (Phoenix Towers: 2,400 sites in France; 200 sites in Germany; sale of 16.6% of Cornerstone (i.e. 15,000 sites) in the United Kingdom). The majority of transactions took place in Eastern Europe: E& (a UAE-based group) took control of five subsidiaries of the PPE group (10,000 sites), while Saudi TowerCo TAWAL took over 5,000 sites from United Group. In addition, the Austrian group Austria Telekom (A1) floated its 13,000 towers on the stock exchange.
In the second quarter of 2023, Totem remained the fifth-ranking European TowerCo by number of sites, behind Cellnex (107,000 sites), Vantage Towers (46,000 sites), GD Towers/Deutsche Funkturm (41,000 sites) and ATC Europe (31,000 sites). It is the only company controlled by a mobile telecommunication operator.
Totem is positioned to support the surging need for connectivity and to offer solutions to meet the emerging needs of operators who are looking for industrial partners. Its momentum is illustrated by the signing of new commercial contracts for the roll-out of 5G in the Orange Vélodrome, the construction of nearly 450 new sites in France to meet the connectivity needs of operators and the roll-out of small cell solutions in Spain and support for the 5G needs of operators in the country.
Totem is therefore positioned as a leading industrial TowerCo within the TowerCo ecosystem.
International Carriers & Shared Services
The operating activities of the International Carriers & Shared Services segment include:
International Carrier activities undertaken by the Orange Wholesale Division: roll-out of the international and long-haul network, sales of international telephony and international wholesale services, and installation and maintenance of submarine cable;
The content activities of OCS and Orange Studio.
The services marketed to operators in France are presented in Section 1.4.1 France. The content distribution activities are briefly presented below, but their revenues are included in the revenues for the France, Europe and Africa & Middle East segments.
The segment also includes other cross-cutting activities of the Group, in particular research and innovation, lease property restructuring, and support and shared activities, including corporate functions at the operational head office.
International Carrier Activities
The International Carrier activities include sales of international telephony and services to international carriers, the negotiation and conclusion of roaming agreements, the roll-out of the international and long-distance network and the installation and maintenance of submarine cables.
The wholesale operator market comprises three categories of players: global wholesalers, multinational retail operators (including Orange) and regional or specialist players.
The wholesale market's customer base comprises voice market specialists (call shops, prepaid cards), fixed and mobile domestic retail carriers (including MVNOs), Internet service and content providers and OTT (Over-The-Top) players. International Carriers also sell wholesale traffic to each other.
Orange Wholesale offers a broad range of solutions on the international market. Its business is structured on an extensive infrastructure of long-haul networks. Its presence in both the retail and wholesale markets means the company can develop solutions that are particularly well adapted to the needs of retail operators.
Roll-out of the international and long-distance network
Orange Wholesale designs, rolls out, oversees and protects long-distance international networks, whether terrestrial, submarine or satellite. The company defines and supplies this international infrastructure and is involved in building the networks and services from the design phase to their operation, as well as in fraud and cyberattack protection. It makes every effort to anticipate developments and adapt its networks to new technologies and emerging needs, using increasingly agile and flexible solutions.
These networks serve both retail and operator customers.
Changes in uses, technological changes and customers' rising expectations for faster speeds and higher quality have put pressure on the company to accelerate the development of all of its networks.
Orange is notable for being heavily involved in the design, construction and operation of submarine cable. With its ownership or co-ownership of several cable systems, Orange ranks among the world's largest owners of submarine links. This has enabled it to respond to the increase in transatlantic traffic.
The company's wholesale activity is based on:
a seamless global network and an IPX protocol network supporting voice and data with points of presence throughout the world;
a global network of dedicated IP routes with end-users in 177 countries, connections to more than 200 Internet service providers, and connectivity in over 100 countries in a single IP network hop; and
99.99% network availability and centralized network supervision, 24/7.
In 2023, IP data traffic increased by 31 %.
Other highlights of 2023 included the announcement in December that the transatlantic submarine cable Amitié between New York and Europe was ready for operation, and the launch in April of the construction of the new submarine cable linking Tunisia and France, in partnership with the operator Medusa Submarine Cable System and with the backing of the European Commission.
Orange Marine
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, Orange Marine has a fleet of six cable-laying ships, one vessel that researches new routes for submarine cable installation, and four marine bases. Its ships have laid more than 287,000 kilometers of cable since the 19th century and have made more than 890 repairs to submarine links, some at a depth of nearly 6,000 meters.
Its know-how, from project engineering to the installation and maintenance of submarine cables, is recognized worldwide. This allows it to play a major and strategic role at the global level, at a time when more efficient next-generation cables are being installed across all oceans.
Overall, 2023 was a busy year, with several flagship projects successfully completed:
ANJANA: cable between Santander and Myrtle Beach (USA); project awarded by NEC on behalf of its client Meta;
T3: cable between Mauritius and South Africa on behalf of Mauritius Telecom, as a co-contractor with ASN;
turnkey project for the customer Infratel, an Italian state-owned organization in charge of the roll-out of telecom infrastructure; Orange Marine connected 21 small islands with 31 landing points;
DEEP BLUE 1: project signed with Digicel for laying a cable in the Caribbean; and
the Sophie Germain, a new cable-laying ship, joined the fleet.
Orange Wholesale International Networks' Offers
Voice Services
Voice service solutions enable operators worldwide to transit their customers' calls internationally to over 1,200 destinations with 24/7 technical support. Orange is the leader in this market.
Global Roaming Services
With mobile services solutions, Orange offers global roaming thanks to direct connections with over 200 mobile operators, as well as broad connectivity that enables it to offer messaging services.
Messaging Services
Orange is the trusted partner for mobile operators, brands and aggregators to safely deliver and charge for A2P (app to person) and P2P (person to person) text messages throughout the world.
Internet and Transmission Services
Orange's data and IP network includes terrestrial, submarine and satellite systems which combine to create a vast global network. With its Internet network, Orange offers adjustable solutions to meet the needs of Internet service or content providers.
Convergence Services
Orange provides operators with a multi-service offer to enable them to manage their voice and mobile data services over a single connection.
Security and Anti-Fraud Services
To protect the value of its customers' business, Orange Wholesale offers solutions covering the protection of identity and privacy and the protection of networks, mobile traffic and voice traffic.
The portfolio of anti-fraud and security services relies on voice, Internet and mobile service solutions. These offers include audit, detection and protection functions as well as the provision of analysis reports. The portfolio also contains offers that focus specifically on combating the dangers of cybercrime. Orange Wholesale's customers can resell some of these offers to their own customers.
Content Activities
In January 2023, Orange and the Canal+ Group announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding for the Canal+ Group's acquisition of Orange's entire stake in the OCS pay-TV package and in Orange Studio, the film and TV co-production subsidiary. Orange Studio has more than 200 co-productions to its credit, as well as a catalog of nearly 1,800 audiovisual works and films. The leading film and TV studio in Europe, StudioCanal has many assets to promote this catalog. Since their founding in 2007 and 2008 respectively, competition in the audiovisual sector, particularly for OCS, has continued to intensify with the emergence of powerful international platforms. Through this agreement with the Canal+ Group, Orange's longstanding partner and a recognized European player in the creation and distribution of content, the company aimed to sustain the long-term development of these two subsidiaries, while preserving jobs and the p-financing of content. Canal+ has been a shareholder of OCS since 2012 (33.33% at the end of 2023) and is its leading distributor. On January 12, 2024, the French Competition Authority gave its approval for the transaction, which was finalized at the end of January. Following this transaction, the Canal+ Group is the sole shareholder of both companies.
The disposal allows Orange to focus on its role as an aggregator and distributor of content (TV/video, music, and games) for its fiber and convergent offers. Its content strategy will continue to be based primarily on developing partnerships with rights holders and service publishers.
In Europe, Orange aggregates the best entertainment services, offering them to its 12.5 million TV customers via its very high-speed broadband networks. Throughout 2023, Orange strengthened and developed its offers by integrating services tailored to its customers' various needs, distributing new offers with advertising from Netflix (France) and the sports streaming service DAZN (France). This has also enabled the company to pursue its differentiation and premiumization strategy by offering premium content such as the Premier League (Romania), the Champions League & Liga (Spain) and BeTV (Belgium).
In Africa & Middle East, content activities are at the heart of the multi-service strategy and help to cement Orange as a responsible local operator. In 2023, Orange broadened its offers with flagship regional services such as OSN (Tunisia, Jordan), BeIN TOD (Morocco) and MBC Shahid (Tunisia, Morocco). Orange also entered into an exclusive partnership with Spotify to offer Orange customers access via the company's data offers to the world's leading music streaming service. Lastly, in late November 2023, the Max it app was launched in five Africa & Middle East countries where Orange operates. In addition to Orange Money services and tools for managing its mobile and fixed lines, the app offers a range of content (online games, music, TV, videos, news, tickets, etc.).
Mobile Financial Services
The Mobile Financial Services Division includes the activities of Orange Bank and Orange Bank Africa. Orange Money's business continues to be driven by geographical segments, particularly in Africa & Middle East.
Mobile Financial Services Activities
Orange Bank
Launched in November 2017, Orange Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, provides cutting-edge banking services natively designed based on the mobile uses of customers, in strong synergy with Telecom activities.
Accessible to everyone, the offer available in France requires no conditions in terms of income, savings or minimum balance. There are no bank charges attached to accounts and the associated bank cards (subject to certain terms and conditions of use). All basic banking services are offered: bank account, standard and premium bank card, checkbook, savings passbook, à la carte insurance and personal loans. In 2020, the bank expanded its range with the launch of the Premium Pack, the first offer on the market intended for parents and up to five children, from age ten.
The Orange Bank app offers innovative features, relying heavily on telecom uses. It enables customers to make contactless payments with bank cards or via mobile handsets using Apple Pay and Google Pay, immediately access their bank account balance, temporarily block and unblock their bank card, request and send money by text message, change their bank card code at any time, or add funds to their account by bank transfer or bank card. Customers can perform all their banking transactions on a mobile handset. Customer Relations are managed by a virtual advisor, available 24/7, with the option of using the customer relationship center in France.
To open a bank account, customers have access to a network of more than 395 Orange stores approved as IOBSPs. A specific type of loan that allows customers to finance the purchase of products available in the store (mobile phones, accessories, etc.) is also offered across the Orange network.
After the acquisition of Orange Courtage in 2020, which enabled the bank to reach a new milestone in its cross-selling policy with Orange by becoming an insurance broker, and that of neobank Anytime, in January 2021, which specializes in business banking, Orange Bank launched Prêt Express (express loan) in 2022. The product of a partnership with Next 40 Younited's fintech, the offer incorporates the latest generation of technology solutions with concrete benefits for customers: loans accessible to customers and non-customers of the bank, high approval rates, and faster and more streamlined processes. In addition, Orange Bank continues to offer car loans sold in the Groupama network alongside vehicle insurance.
On the international stage, Orange Bank was launched in Spain at the end of 2019. An all-mobile bank, it offers all its customers, whether or not they are Orange customers, a bank account, a Mastercard debit card and a savings account. Mobile payment is available on Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Innovations include the company management function, which enables funds and expenses to be shared or transferred between several people, giving customers the option to manage joint subscriptions, such as water bills or Netflix accounts. Since the summer of 2020, Orange Bank Espagne has also been offering consumer credit and a financing solution for purchases of mobile phones in stores.
At December 31, 2023, Orange Bank had 1.9 million customers in France and Spain. This number includes customers who had opened an account with Orange Bank, as well as customers of credit and mobile insurance offers.
Disposal of Orange Bank and agreements with BNP Paribas
As part of its strategic asset review, Orange, after having started a search for a partner for its banking subsidiary, announced at the end of June 2023 the entry into exclusive negotiations in order to define a referencing partnership concerning Orange Bank's client portfolio in France, develop financing solutions for mobile devices and discuss the modalities of a possible takeover of Orange Bank's business in Spain. At the end of this negotiation, Orange announced at the end of February 2024 a partnership with BNP Paribas to offer a banking continuity solution for its clients in France and Spain. This partnership resulted in the signing of several agreements:
an SEO agreement in France whereby Hello bank!, the BNP Paribas mobile bank, offers Orange Bank customers in France an exclusive offer (subject to eligibility conditions); and
a commercial agreement to ensure a continuity solution for Orange Bank clients (subject to eligibility conditions) in Spain via the Spanish subsidiary of BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Banco Cetelem.
In parallel, Orange and BNP Paribas Personal Finance are collaborating on the implementation of a new credit solution for the financing of mobile devices.
This partnership is part of the intention of Orange's wider intention to progressively withdraw Orange Bank from the retail banking market in France and Spain by the end of 2025. and the negotiation of a plan to safeguard employment for more than 600 jobs in France. In 2023, Orange Bank initiated an information-consultation with its employee representative bodies to cease its activities, and the negotiation of a plan to safeguard employment for more than 600 positions in France. Orange Bank has a solid balance sheet and will continue to meet all its regulatory obligations until its future withdrawal from the market. Orange Bank continues to offer a high-quality service.
Orange Bank Africa
In partnership with NSIA, a leading bancassurance provider, Orange launched Orange Bank Africa's business activities in July 2020 in CÔte d'Ivoire after obtaining a banking license from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in 2019. For populations still excluded from the conventional banking system, Orange Bank Africa has quickly become one of the most efficient ways of accessing credit and savings 24/7 from the Orange Money mobile account. In September 2023, the Banking Commission of the WAMU (West African Monetary Union) gave its approval for Orange Bank Africa to open a branch in Senegal.
Orange Bank Africa offers a fully digital microcredit and savings solution, allowing users to borrow smaller amounts instantly, from 5,000 CFA francs (around 8 euros), with an easy-to-use and innovative service which uses a scoring tool designed to accelerate decision-making and a dedicated artificial intelligence algorithm. It is accessible to everyone, regardless of location, time and mobile phone generation. In 2022, the offer was supplemented by a direct bank offer that includes consumer loans, business loans and a prepaid card offer. In 2023, the direct bank offer was supplemented by a real estate loan offer.
Orange Bank Africa had 1.3 million customers at the end of December 2023, with its pico-credit, micro-credit and savings offers via Orange Money and its direct bank offers (consumer loans, business loans, real estate loans, prepaid cards). In 2023, 1.3 million loans were granted for a total amount of 185.2 billion CFA francs, thereby contributing to the economic and social development of CÔte d'Ivoire.
Orange Bank Africa enables the company to participate more fully in the economic activity of its host countries and is thus completely in keeping with the regional financial inclusion strategy promoted by the BCEAO.
Orange's Networks
For the company, the networks are a strategic asset and, as such, are subject to constant supervision, maintenance and upgrades. Launched in 2023, Orange's strategic plan, Lead the future, is based on four key pillars, including capitalizing on infrastructure in all the countries where the company is present.
At end-2023, the company operated networks in 26 countries in Europe, Africa & Middle East to serve its B2C customers; its business networks are among the most extensive in the world. Orange intends to continue to roll out, innovate and invest in the best technologies to meet the challenges of reliability, security and resilience for its customers in all its locations.
The company's investments in its networks, other than to maintain their quality (replacement of poles, cables and masts, and other equipment that has reached the end of its life) are designed to improve these networks in a number of respects:
the development of very high-speed fixed and mobile broadband (FTTH and 4G/5G), increased data transfer volumes and reduced connection latency. These investments concern all networks, from the mobile radio network and household Internet connectivity to satellite and submarine cables;
the migration of uses from old technologies (analog telephony, copper networks, 2G and 3G) to new technologies;
gradual virtualization of network control functions ('programmability' and 'softwarization' of networks so that they can be adapted more quickly to new services and uses);
automation of network operation, which improves the quality of service for customers.
The networks are very extensive. In each country, they break down into (i) access networks (fixed and/or mobile), (ii) IP transmission and transport networks and (iii) control and service networks, supplemented by (v) international networks.
Access networks connect each customer - individuals or businesses - and provide a first level of customer data aggregation. IP transmission and transport networks connect access networks with each other and with the networks of other operators in the relevant country, as well as with international networks. Control and service networks, which drive access, transmission and IP transport networks, provide the connection between people and manage the services (voice, TV, Internet access and data). International terrestrial and submarine networks provide global connectivity for all services, voice and data, for which servers are often located on a different continent.
A common feature of all these networks is the continual increase in their capacity. Uses continue to expand, and traffic volumes are increasing across all Group networks. To anticipate this growth, which will continue over the coming years, the company is investing in its networks to increase their capacity and performance while controlling their energy efficiency and reducing their environmental impact.
Access Networks
Fixed-access Networks
Analog Access and ADSL/vDSL Broadband Access
Copper accesses comprise a pair of copper wires that connect individual customers to a concentration point and give them access, via the distribution and transport network, to a local switch. It is used to deliver analog voice services and broadband access services.
Orange operates copper access networks in France and Poland, and in various countries in Africa & Middle East (CÔte d'Ivoire, Jordan and Senegal), to provide analog voice access services and data in the B2C, B2B and wholesale markets.
To supplement its coverage, Orange also uses the networks of third-party operators to provide these same services (Belgium, Slovakia, etc.).
Very high-speed broadband fiber optic access
Orange has been rolling out FTTH access networks for over ten years, using a point-to-multipoint network architecture known as Passive Optical Network (PON). This architecture, based on passive fiber optic, has the advantage of being able to pool several technologies and several very high-speed broadband accesses on the same fiber.
These FTTH access networks make it possible to offer very high-speed broadband services: up to 2 Gbit/s using G-PON technology and 10 Gbit/s using XGS-PON technology.
Most offers use G-PON technology, and offers using XGS-PON technology are available in Spain (since 2022) and France (since 2023).
Compared with other fixed access technologies, FTTH access networks offer improved performance in terms of bandwidth, response times and energy efficiency.
Orange offers FTTH connectivity in 17 countries and is the European leader in the number of accesses rolled-oud:
In France, the roll-out of the FTTH network started in 2007. In 2011 and 2012, Orange signed sharing arrangements with other telecom operators to speed up the roll-out. In 2023, it continued at a steady pace, and Orange consolidated its leadership with a total of 37.4 million households connectable to Orange fiber optic at end-2023;
The roll-out of FTTH networks is also continuing in Europe (excluding France), where by the end of 2023 Orange had more than 30.2 million connectable households, including 16.8 million in Spain and 8.0 million in Poland;
In Africa & Middle East, by the end of 2023, the company had connected 4.1 million homes to FTTH in Morocco, Jordan, CÔte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea.
Orange shares its fixed-access network in its three main countries - France, Spain and Poland - and plans to share some future FTTH roll-outs with other operators via FiberCos, involving third parties. In 2021, Orange joined forces with long-term investors to create Orange Concession. France's leading operator of FTTH networks rolled out and operated on behalf of local authorities, Orange Concessions operates 24 Public Initiative Networks (PINs) representing 3.4 million homes connectable to fiber and nearly 1.5 million customers connected at end-2023, and nearly 4.6 million FTTH connections by 2025. In Poland, Orange has created a 50%-owned FiberCo, whose objective is to roll out 1.7 million lines over the next five years to reach 2.4 million lines.
Radio and Satellite Fixed Access
In certain European and African countries, fixed services are provided through 4G/LTE and now 5G, in addition to copper and fiber optic networks.
In addition to copper, fiber and radio accesses, fixed residential accesses and satellite television services are marketed via space capacity rental.
Since 2023, Orange has been offering a satellite service in mainland France through the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite. This offer allows its most remotely located B2C and business customers to benefit from a very high-speed broadband experience (theoretically up to 200 Mbit/s downstream and 15 Mbit/s upstream) for the price of a fiber-optic offer.
Mobile-access Networks
The GSM (2G), UMTS (3G), LTE (4G) and 5G access networks support voice and data communication services that reach average speeds of several tens of Mbit/s and up to several hundred in optimal conditions, allowing to easily send and receive voluminous content (audio, photo and video). The company operates a mobile network in each of the countries where it offers B2C telecommunication services. The network supports GSM, UMTS and LTE technologies in all countries; in Europe, it also supports 5G. Between 2025 and 2030, the company will gradually phase out its 2G and 3G networks in France and in all European Union countries where it operates. The phasing out of 2G and 3G will allow Orange to optimize the management of its networks and move them toward more secure, resilient, economical and energy-efficient technologies, such as 4G and 5G. Radio frequencies used for 2G and 3G will be re-used to improve the capacity and coverage of 4G and 5G networks in both urban and rural areas.
5G technology improves connection speed to mobile services, with average speeds three to four times faster than 4G, thanks to smart antennae installed on existing 4G sites. Orange's 5G is now marketed in an NSA version (non-standalone, in other words based on a 5G spectrum but using a 4G core and an additional 4G anchor frequency band) in six countries in Europe (France, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain). It is initially being rolled out in urban areas where 4G is in high demand, and in areas with high levels of economic activity, as a complement to the other networks. On the African continent, Botswana and Jordan have commercially launched 5G NSA. 5G roll-outs are planned in all 17 countries in the very near future.
5G SA (standalone, in other words, operating completely independently of 4G and having its own core network) makes it possible to improve latency but also to adapt the network and the quality of service according to the user needs by using network slicing technology: This technology consists of virtually dividing the network into several slices operating independently and thus offering different levels of mobile network performance according to customer needs (B2C, businesses, industrial campuses, etc.).
In 2023, Spain and Belgium launched their 5G SA network. The other four European countries that have already rolled out 5G NSA will commission 5G SA between 2024 and 2025.
To reduce its environmental impact and operating costs, Orange shares more than 65% of its radio sites with a partner or TowerCo. Sharing can be either 'passive' (confined to masts/rooftops only), or 'active' (masts/rooftops and active equipment). Sharing of this nature, which previously concerned 2G/3G/4G technologies, now includes 5G. Passive sharing is in place in almost all of the company's host countries. Active sharing, which is more efficient, has mainly been adopted in the following countries:
Poland, for nearly all of the mobile access network;
Spain, where the mobile-access network is shared outside major cities;
France, for 4G coverage of dead zones, including the 2,000 new sites of the New Deal program;
Belgium, where an active mobile-access network sharing agreement was signed in 2019. Work to consolidate the two networks started at the end of 2021 and will take place over several years;
Romania, for sites in rural areas and expanded to sites in urban areas.
For several years now, Orange has been moving its RAN toward Open RAN and softwarization. As early as 2020, the first Cloud-native network was tested in France, then also in Spain, with the Pikeo initiative, which demonstrated some of the benefits of Open RAN: on the one hand, open interfaces make it possible to combine radio transmitters and processors from different vendors; on the other hand, disaggregation between hardware and software makes it possible to roll out virtualized RAN functions on unified servers. Orange was thus able to illustrate the benefits of automation and the CI/CD and 'zero touch network' concepts, speeding up network management processes such as SW roll-out and upgrades, which will reduce operating expenses ('OPEX'). In mid-2023, Orange activated its first 4G (and soon 2G) Open RAN sites via a commercial network pilot in a rural area of, sharing a network with Vodafone in a world first. Open RAN is paving the way for more flexible network sharing, with independent vRAN software per operator, potentially from different vendors, on the same shared Cloud infrastructure. Initial results seem to confirm Open RAN's ability to rival traditional RAN in terms of performance and functional parity. These experiments are preparing Orange for large-scale roll-outs from 2025.
At the end of 2021, the company created a European TowerCo, Totem, which has a passive mobile infrastructure portfolio of nearly 27,300 sites in France and Spain.
Energy Savings
In 2023, the company stepped up its Energy action plan to limit energy consumption and the associated CO2 emissions (scope 2) against a backdrop of increasing traffic and significant coverage, to achieve the objectives set by the Lead the future strategic program.
National Transmission and IP Transport and Control Networks
In each country where it has B2C customers, Orange operates a network that is layered as follows:
Transmission Network
The transmission network primarily consists of terrestrial and submarine fiber optic, as well as radio relay systems rolled out mainly in Africa & Middle East countries. These networks support voice and data traffic, for fixed and mobile B2C, B2B and wholesale services. The technologies proposed by the equipment manufacturers selected by Orange on optical links make it possible to achieve speeds of up to 800 Gbits/s per wavelength, and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology allows capacities of 50 Tbits/s per fiber. Orange is one of the world leaders in the use of advanced optical functions to obtain more flexible and programmable transport networks.
IP Transport Network
The IP network consists of routers connected to the transmission network. In France, an IP network dedicated to businesses is also in operation, in addition to the network managing data for B2C customers. The main purpose of this network is to connect businesses' French sites for internal data exchange on a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and provide them with Internet connectivity. It also provides Voice over IP transport to businesses.
Control Network
The control network (also known as the signaling network) manages calls and data connections, updates of location data for mobile phones, roaming and SMS. This network is being upgraded to new standards, for example to manage 5G.
Voice Services Network
In the countries in which it has fixed operations, Orange operates a switched telephone network (PSTN) to deliver analog voice and ISDN digital services. These networks are continually being optimized because of declining uses. In France, Orange stopped marketing its analog voice services at the end of 2018 and announced the first zones where voice services will only be available using IP technology from the end of 2023.
Orange has also rolled out fixed VoIP networks using IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) technology in many countries for B2C and B2B uses.
Until 2015, all mobile voice traffic was managed in switched mode by the mobile network in each country. In 2015, Orange rolled out mobile IMS infrastructure in European countries to offer VoLTE (VoIP over LTE) and VoWiFi (mobile Voice over WiFi) services. At end-2021, VoLTE and VoWiFi had been rolled out in all of the company's European networks and are being rolled out in some countries in the MEA region.
International Networks
Terrestrial Network
The international terrestrial network comprises four main networks, connected via submarine cable:
the European network, whose roll-out began in April 2012 in France, and which has been extended to include services in Frankfurt, London, Barcelona and Madrid, as well as submarine cable stations;
the North American network, one of Europe's most strategic routes. According to Telegeography, 'with 571 Tbps of international bandwidth used, the transatlantic remains by far the largest intercontinental route. It is twice as busy as the transpacific route, the second busiest in the world';
the Asian backbone in Singapore, served by the SEA-ME-WE3, SEA-ME-WE4 and SEA-ME-WEA 5 submarine cable; and
Djoliba, the first pan-African backbone, commissioned in November 2020. This infrastructure is based on a terrestrial fiber optic network coupled with submarine cable, thereby offering secure international connectivity from West Africa. The new backbone covers eight countries: Burkina Faso, CÔte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal.
In 2023, Orange was appointed coordinator of the FranceQCI consortium, which includes Airbus, CNRS, Cryptonext Security, France's Directorate General for Civil Aviation, Orange, Sorbonne Université, Télécom Paris, Thales, Thales Alenia Space, Université CÔte d'Azur, Veriqloud and Welinq. As part of the Digital Europe program, this project represents a significant contribution in France to the objective of rolling out a secure quantum communication infrastructure for the EU (EuroQCI), and paves the way for the future European Quantum Information Network (QIN).
Satellites
Orange uses satellite communications to provide VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) services to Orange Business's terrestrial or maritime B2B customers, to connect isolated mobile sites in Africa and to provide IP or voice connections to other operators. To provide these services, Orange uses space capacity rented from satellite operators (Eutelsat, Intelsat, SES and Arabsat). Orange is also forging partnerships with new players in the industry. In 2023, Orange announced a partnership with One Web and its low-Earth orbit constellation, which will improve and expand Orange's global connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas of Europe, Latin America and Africa, strengthen its leading position in the mobile backhaul market in hard-to-reach areas such as certain African countries, and enhance Orange Business's offer for large, small and medium-sized businesses by providing resilient and low-latency broadband solutions.
In 2023, Orange was also selected to participate in the IRIS industrial consortium for the sovereign European satellite constellation project. The program is linked to the European Commission's proposal on the EU's Global Gateway Strategy. It will enable the provision of affordable Internet access everywhere in Europe and will provide secure connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest, such as the Arctic region and Africa.
Submarine Cable
To address the strong growth in international telecommunication traffic and in a highly competitive market, Orange is maintaining its level of investment in submarine cable and is continuing to develop its network in order to meet the needs of its customers. Due to the high cost of the investments required to construct a cable, these investments are carried out with the various players involved (operators, private companies and GAFAM) and in various forms (consortiums, purchase of user rights, transmission capacity rental, etc.).
Orange is an investor in more than 40 submarine cables and consortiums covering various routes: North Atlantic, Caribbean, Europe-Asia and Europe-Africa.
The year 2023 was marked by the announcements in April that Orange had begun construction on the new submarine cable linking Tunisia and France as part of its association with the operator Medusa Submarine Cable System, with the support of the European Commission; and in December that the Amitié transatlantic submarine cable between New York and Europe had been commissioned.
In addition, over the course of 2023, the 2Africa consortium, of which Orange is a member, continued the gradual roll-out of the cable, with several landings in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia) and Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, etc.). More than 45,000 kilometers long, its full commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2024 and will connect 33 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. The cable, rated up to 180 TBps in key parts of the system, will increase capacity and improve Internet reliability and performance across much of Africa, and supplement rapidly growing capacity demand in the Middle East.
Lastly, the roll-out of two new submarine cables continued in 2023:
Orange welcomed Digicel's Deep Blue One cable to Cayenne in December. The roll-out of the cable will continue in early 2024, with commissioning scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. This will allow Orange to improve connectivity in French Guiana by linking the territory to Trinidad;
the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium, in which Orange is heavily involved, is continuing construction of the 21,000-kilometer submarine cable that will link Singapore and Marseille in 2025. This will be connected to a cable serving four countries in the Middle East (Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain).
International Service Control Networks
Orange operates an international control network to manage the signaling associated with the voice, roaming and text message traffic of its mobile networks and those of its operator customers. This network is evolving to handle new standards such as 5G.
Orange also operates a network for the supply of voice services for international businesses, based on the international IP MPLS network.
In addition, several centralized platforms were rolled out on international transit points to provide value-added services to mobile operators.
Network Integration Factory
In 2023, the Network Integration Factory developed an industrial product to implement an automation chain for the integration and deployment of network functions. This automation chain is shared with all Orange subsidiaries and used by all manufacturers. It was deployed in Belgium and Spain in 2023, and is being rolled out in 2024 in France, Slovakia, Romania and Poland.
The first deployment in Belgium demonstrated that Orange is capable of automating the network functions of the 5G mobile core (SIG ORACLE) in 'GitOps' mode, enabling deployment in a matter of hours compared with the several weeks required when these evolutions are carried out manually. The aim now is to capitalize on these developments to replicate these automated deployments in the company's other countries using this function.
Automation work began or continued over the year on network functions in the fixed access, transport and RAN domains, with a view to generalizing the model and enriching the number of network functions in the Network Integration Factory's catalog of services. The Network Integration Factory has also supplied Orange France with automated switch testing solutions for B2B and wholesale requirements, to reduce the time taken to complete validation campaigns from 4 days to 30 minutes. Work has also begun with Orange Marine to limit the downtime of its fleet of ships at sea by reducing the time taken to repair fibers whose measurements are automated.
Network Resilience
Network resilience ensuring continuity of services is an essential element of Orange's purpose as a trusted operator. Orange's network resilience approach focuses on:
Anticipation, by choosing the architectures most likely to resist hazards. This includes anticipating future climate conditions and the weather events they will produce;
Assessing the system's ability to anticipate and absorb potential disruptions, to develop ways to adapt to changes in the system itself (such as the introduction of a new technology, or external changes), and to enhance its ability to withstand disruptions and recover as quickly as possible after a shock.
Orange's network resilience is built on:
Transmission and transport networks structured in loops in order to ensure a minimum service in the event of a branch outage;
Redundancy at various levels (sites, energy chains, equipment and servers) in order to compensate for failures of individual units;
Anticipation and prevention capabilities to detect and implement the first redundancy and diversity mechanisms. Historically, these capabilities referred to the robustness of the network;
Absorption capabilities with defense mechanisms, including congestion or overload control mechanisms;
Adjustment capabilities to reduce the impact of incidents on the services provided to customers;
Repair capabilities to restore normal functioning.
Research and Development
In 2023, the company devoted 613 million euros to furthering its research and innovation activities.
Intellectual Property and Licensing
At December 31, 2023, the company had a portfolio of more than 10,500 patents or patent applications in France and abroad protecting its innovations. To maximize their value, some patents are licensed through patent pools for patents pertaining to industry standards (e.g. NFC, MPEG Audio, WiFi, HEVC, 5G, neural coding, VVC, VP9-AV1, etc.).
In 2023, 212 new inventions were patented, including major technical contributions to standardization (5G, coding, video, etc.). These inventions mainly come from the company's Innovation Research Centers in France and abroad.
Regulation
Orange's business activities are governed by several laws:
The Law of July 16, 2004 relating to telecommunications which transposes into national law the 2002 Telecoms Package on electronic communications;
The Law of February 16, 2007 on competition and consumer protection;
The Law of December 2012, transposing EU directives issued in 2009, which came into force on January 21, 2013;
The Law of May 7, 2010, on developing telecommunication networks and services, which provides access to telecommunication and other technical infrastructure financed through public funds. This law was revised and amended on August 30, 2019, by transposing Directive 2014/61/EU on broadband cost reduction.
History
The company was formerly known as France Telecom S.A. and changed its name to Orange S.A. in 2013.
Orange Questions and Answers
Which sectors generate sales and which are the top 3 markets?
Revenue distribution by sectors:
Telecommunication services: approx. 75%
IT and network solutions: approx. 15%
Other services (including financial services): approx. 10%
TOP 3 markets and their percentage shares of total revenue:
France: approx. 40%
Spain: approx. 15%
Africa & Middle East: ap...
Revenue distribution by sectors:
- Telecommunication services: approx. 75%
- IT and network solutions: approx. 15%
- Other services (including financial services): approx. 10%
TOP 3 markets and their percentage shares of total revenue:
- France: approx. 40%
- Spain: approx. 15%
- Africa & Middle East: approx. 12%
Orange S.A. generates the majority of its revenue from the telecommunication services sector, which includes mobile, fixed-line, and internet services. France remains the largest market for the company, followed by Spain and the Africa & Middle East region, which has shown strong growth in recent years.
At which locations are the company’s products manufactured?
Production Sites: Worldwide, with a focus on Europe and Africa
Orange S.A. is a leading telecommunications company that mainly offers services rather than producing physical products. The company operates in several countries, with a focus on Europe and Africa.
In Europe, especially in France, Orang...
Production Sites: Worldwide, with a focus on Europe and Africa
Orange S.A. is a leading telecommunications company that mainly offers services rather than producing physical products. The company operates in several countries, with a focus on Europe and Africa.
In Europe, especially in France, Orange S.A. operates numerous data centers and network infrastructures that serve as the backbone for its services. In Africa, the company has heavily invested in infrastructure to improve telecommunications services in several countries.
Since Orange S.A. mainly offers services, "production" is more associated with the provision and maintenance of network infrastructure and digital services.
What strategy does Orange pursue for future growth?
Revenue Growth: Estimate 2-3% annually (2025-2027)
Investments in 5G: Over 1 billion euros annually (from 2023)
Diversification into digital services: Increase by 20% (2024)
Orange S.A. is pursuing a growth strategy that strongly focuses on the development and expansion of its 5G infrastructure. The...
Revenue Growth: Estimate 2-3% annually (2025-2027)
Investments in 5G: Over 1 billion euros annually (from 2023)
Diversification into digital services: Increase by 20% (2024)
Orange S.A. is pursuing a growth strategy that strongly focuses on the development and expansion of its 5G infrastructure. The company is continuously investing in expanding the 5G network to strengthen its market position in Europe and Africa and to meet the increasing demand for faster and more reliable connectivity.
In addition, Orange is focusing on diversifying into digital services, including cloud services, cybersecurity, and financial technologies. These areas are expected to be significantly expanded in the coming years to unlock new revenue streams and reduce dependence on traditional telecommunications business.
Another key focus is on improving customer experience and digitizing internal processes to achieve efficiency gains and increase profitability. Orange plans to further expand its market presence and offer innovative solutions through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.
Which raw materials are imported and from which countries?
Main materials: Fiber optic cables, electronic components, copper
Countries of origin:
Fiber optic cables: China, USA
Electronic components: South Korea, Taiwan
Copper: Chile, Peru
Orange S.A. is a leading telecommunications company that relies on various raw materials and supplies for the expansi...
Main materials: Fiber optic cables, electronic components, copper
Countries of origin:
- Fiber optic cables: China, USA
- Electronic components: South Korea, Taiwan
- Copper: Chile, Peru
Orange S.A. is a leading telecommunications company that relies on various raw materials and supplies for the expansion and maintenance of its network infrastructure. Fiber optic cables are essential for expanding the broadband network and are mainly imported from China and the USA, where significant manufacturers are located.
Electronic components needed for the production of telecommunications devices and network equipment mainly come from South Korea and Taiwan, two countries known for their advanced semiconductor production.
Copper is another important material used in telecommunications infrastructure, especially in older networks. The main suppliers are Chile and Peru, which are among the world's largest copper producers.
These import strategies enable Orange to ensure a stable supply of the necessary materials to efficiently provide its services.
How strong is the company’s competitive advantage?
Market share in France: about 40% (2024)
EBITDA margin: 30% (2024)
Investments in fiber optic expansion: 500 million euros annually (estimated for 2025)
Orange S.A. has a significant competitive advantage, especially in its home market of France, where it holds a market share of about 40%. This stro...
Market share in France: about 40% (2024) EBITDA margin: 30% (2024) Investments in fiber optic expansion: 500 million euros annually (estimated for 2025)
Orange S.A. has a significant competitive advantage, especially in its home market of France, where it holds a market share of about 40%. This strong market position allows the company to benefit from economies of scale and achieve a robust EBITDA margin of around 30%.
Another competitive advantage lies in the continuous investments in fiber optic expansion. With an estimated annual investment of 500 million euros, Orange is significantly investing in infrastructure, helping them maintain a leading role in high-speed internet services.
In addition, Orange benefits from a broad international presence, especially in Africa, where the company is a leader in several countries. This diversification contributes to the company's stability and provides growth opportunities in emerging markets.
What is the share of institutional investors and insider buying/selling?
Institutional investor share: approx. 50% (estimated for 2025 based on historical data)
Insider purchases/sales: No significant transactions known in the last year
The institutional investor share in Orange S.A. traditionally accounts for about half of the total share ownership. This is typical for...
Institutional investor share: approx. 50% (estimated for 2025 based on historical data)
Insider purchases/sales: No significant transactions known in the last year
The institutional investor share in Orange S.A. traditionally accounts for about half of the total share ownership. This is typical for large telecommunications companies that offer stable earnings and dividends.
Regarding insider purchases or sales, there have been no significant transactions in the last year that could indicate a change in management's confidence in the company's future development. Such information is usually publicly available and monitored by financial regulatory authorities.
What percentage market share does Orange have?
Market share of Orange S.A.: 20% (estimated for 2025)
Top competitors and their market shares:
Deutsche Telekom AG: 25%
Vodafone Group: 22%
Orange S.A.: 20%
Telefonica S.A.: 18%
BT Group: 15%
Orange S.A. is one of the leading telecommunications providers in Europe and holds a significant market sh...
Market share of Orange S.A.: 20% (estimated for 2025)
Top competitors and their market shares:
- Deutsche Telekom AG: 25%
- Vodafone Group: 22%
- Orange S.A.: 20%
- Telefonica S.A.: 18%
- BT Group: 15%
Orange S.A. is one of the leading telecommunications providers in Europe and holds a significant market share of around 20%. The largest competitor is Deutsche Telekom AG with a market share of 25%, followed by Vodafone Group with 22%.
The moat of Orange S.A. is based on its strong market presence in France and other European countries, its established infrastructure, and its wide range of services. These factors provide Orange with a certain competitive advantage.
Compared to its competitors, Deutsche Telekom has a stronger moat, especially due to its extensive international presence and innovation capabilities. Vodafone also benefits from a strong global presence and a diversified product range.
Overall, Orange S.A. has a solid moat, but the larger international networks and innovation capabilities of its competitors could be seen as stronger advantages.
Is Orange stock currently a good investment?
Revenue growth: 2.4% (2024)
EBITDA margin: 30.5% (2024)
Net financial debt/EBITDA: 2.0x (2024)
Orange S.A. recorded a revenue growth of 2.4% in 2024, attributed to stable demand in its core markets and successful implementation of its digital transformation strategy. The EBITDA margin of 30.5% indic...
Revenue growth: 2.4% (2024)
EBITDA margin: 30.5% (2024)
Net financial debt/EBITDA: 2.0x (2024)
Orange S.A. recorded a revenue growth of 2.4% in 2024, attributed to stable demand in its core markets and successful implementation of its digital transformation strategy. The EBITDA margin of 30.5% indicates that the company operates efficiently and is able to control its costs well.
The debt situation, measured by the ratio of net financial debt to EBITDA of 2.0x, is within an acceptable range, suggesting that Orange can manage its debts well. This is particularly important in a sector that requires high investments in infrastructure.
Overall, Orange S.A. shows solid financial indicators, pointing to stable operational performance. Investing in Orange could therefore be attractive for investors looking for an established telecommunications company with stable returns. Future investments in 5G and fiber optics could also offer further growth potential.
Does Orange pay a dividend – and how reliable is the payout?
Dividend yield: 5.5% (estimated for 2025)
Dividend history: Continuous distribution in recent years
Orange S.A. is known for its reliable dividend policy. The company has consistently paid out dividends in recent years, indicating a stable financial foundation and a solid business model.
The estimat...
Dividend yield: 5.5% (estimated for 2025)
Dividend history: Continuous distribution in recent years
Orange S.A. is known for its reliable dividend policy. The company has consistently paid out dividends in recent years, indicating a stable financial foundation and a solid business model.
The estimated dividend yield of 5.5% for 2025 reflects Orange's commitment to providing shareholders with an attractive return. Given the stable cash flows and the strategic focus on growth and efficiency improvements, it is expected that the dividend policy will be maintained in the future.
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