today’s network

This section is not aimed at providing a thorough presentation of the France Telecom Group’s networks. It focuses on the main technologies that are being deployed in the countries where France Telecom is present and in its international network.

France Telecom is handling the different activities of a telecommunications operator: fixed access network operator (phone and ADSL/fibre), mobile access network operator, global business network operator, national and international transmission network operator (including submarine cables and satellites). The clients of these networks are not individuals or international companies but other operators that are offering services (to businesses or individual customers) using their own network and rented resources.

the Group’s networks comprise
fixed networks: incumbent fixed networks in countries like France, Poland and Senegal: the Group owns and runs the copper local loop. Challenger fixed networks in countries like the United Kingdom and Spain: the Group rents the copper local loop from the incumbent operator.
mobile networks: in all countries where the Group is present, we have rolled out a GSM network that has gradually evolved toward 3G. In some African countries where there are very few fixed copper networks, the mobile network is the only existing network because mobile phones are almost the only means of communications available to individual customers.

In addition to these networks, there is also the backbone network composed of terrestrial and submarine cables. The European network supports the transmission of information from one country to another by connecting the major cities. This network is connected to the global submarine cable network that connects the continents.  

All this makes France Telecom an integrated operator, able to adapt to the constant changes occurring within the telecommunications sector.


find out more
the "network's guided tour" animation
"the network maps" educational tool
main network investments in Orange countries in 2010