Orange Includes Major FTTH Expansion in New Strategic Plan

PARIS — Paris-based telecoms group Orange has unveiled "Essentials 2020," its new five-year strategic plan, which will replace the "Conquests 2015" plan launched in 2010.

"With the launch of Essentials 2020, we are writing a new page in Orange’s history," said Orange Group’s CEO Stephane Richard. "This five-year strategic plan is focused firmly on our customers. Our ambition is based on a strong commitment to provide them with an unmatched experience on a daily basis."

According to Essentials 2020, Orange will invest more than $15.90 billion in its networks from 2015 to 2018, while aiming to triple the average fixed and mobile data speeds by the end of 2018. The group outlined its main operational objectives as follows:

• In France, Orange plans to triple its investments in fiber-optic networks by 2020 and increase the number of connected homes from 3.6 million at the end of 2014 to 12 million in 2018 and 20 million in 2022;


• In Spain, the group aims to expand its fiber networks and TV offering in order to double convergent revenues by 2018. Further, the proposed acquisition of Jazztel, which is currently being examined by the European Commission (EC), will enable it to reach its target of 10 million connectable homes by the end of 2016;


• In Poland, Orange will deploy its own fiber network in a bid to reinforce its position as the incumbent operator and market leader in terms of fixed line access and convergence;


• In Belgium, Orange will test the use of cable technology through the launch of a TV offering in 2015 that will be significantly different from existing market offerings;


• In Europe, Orange targets 95 percent Long Term Evolution (LTE) coverage across its footprint by 2018;


• In Africa and the Middle East, the operator will continue to invest significantly in territorial coverage, with a particular emphasis on the continued deployment of broadband networks. LTE services will be launched in seven countries in 2015 and in the majority of countries in that region by 2018; and


• Orange will drive the evolution of its network towards all-IP, the cloud and the virtualization of network functions, while also preparing for the introduction of 5G technologies.