Mobile Network

The best possible network quality

Orange offers the largest mobile coverage in France, with 99% of the metropolitan population in 3G + and more than 98% in 4G.

For 8 consecutive times, Orange has been recognized by the ARCEP (French Regulator) number 1 on the quality of its mobile services: calls, SMS and mobile internet.

Orange Wholesale France gives you access to the same network cores as those used for the retail market to enable you to enjoy the best possible network quality.

A mobile network consists of 2 parts: “access” and “heart”.

The Access Network: Antennas

This is the “base station subsystem”, which is used for radio broadcasting.

Mobiles communicate using base stations. Each base station is equipped with transmitter-receiver antennas and an electronic device which processes the signal.

Each station covers a specific area, hence the term cellular network. Several stations are centred on a single base station controller. This is the main control for the base station subsystem. It constantly monitors the quality of radio communication between the mobile and the antenna. If the mobile moves away from the antenna, the concentrator anticipates the movement and transfers the waves to another antenna. 

When a call is received, the cellular tower converts the electromagnetic waves received from the mobile into digital data that are transmitted via the fixed network to the Backbone Network by copper wire, fibre, or radio waves. These mobile backhaul connections between the station and the backbone can be provided to mobile operators by Orange Wholesale France. This conversion happens in reverse when the call is dispatched. 

The Backbone Network

Once the signal is routed to the Backbone Network, towards a switch, if the terminal being called is a mobile, it must then be located.

A localisation server permanently lists the mobile terminals that are in the area. This data is contained in a general database. The switch uses the database to locate the mobile being called and dispatches the call.

The Backbone Network acts as an interface between the other networks, thereby enabling mobile subscribers to communicate with fixed number network subscribers, the networks of other operators, and the internet.

The 4G by Orange

This 4th generation of mobile networks succeeds the 3G that appeared around ten years ago. Each generation improves performance, the Orange 4G can surf up to 10 times faster than 3G + with a theoretical maximum rate of 75 or 150 Mbit /s. With 4G, you surf in mobility as comfortably as from home.

The coverage of Orange France networks

The Orange France coverage map of 2G / 3G / 4G by clicking here

The 4G+, what it is ?

4G + is an evolution of the 4G network that responds to the development of Internet uses from mobile and especially the most demanding like streaming video. It allows you to enjoy enhanced 4G coverage and also offers even more download speed and unseen navigation comfort. 4G + is an aggregation of several 4G frequency bands in order to benefit from even more flow.