Virtualized network operations, service ordering, monitoring and delivery as well as direct-to-device satellite communications are among the solutions introduced by Orange Wholesale and partners.
Orange Wholesale showcased several ground-breaking solutions reaching different stages of development at Orange Open Tech, the Group’s annual innovation fair held over three days in November 2024 featuring no less than 65 demonstrations, 24 conferences, with participants from 22 countries.
The Orange Virtual Network Attachment technology makes the promise of SDN PoPs come true. Software-Defined Network Points of Presence allow virtualized network operations on the Orange Global Networks and on-demand connectivity service deployment without the need for costly and time-consuming hardware changes. A world first, the Orange Virtual Network Attachment technology rely on and open-source software environment including Kubernetes, KubeVirt or Kepler. This solution allows fully softwarized migration of technical services between data centers through a highly-secured internet backbone. Operators looking to answer changing network service needs related to 5G, voice or security can therefore do without complex infrastructure moves and simplify operations with no disruption in customer service. The Orange Virtual Network Attachment solution was at the time of the Open Tech fair in a pilot project phase with partners onboarded for mobile network and network connectivity services.
Orange Wholesale Click is one suite of solution that directly benefits from the network virtualization capacities brought by the Orange Virtual Network Attachment. As a true one-stop shop for digital connectivity service provisioning, Click makes it possible to order, deploy and supervize such global offerings as IP Transit, Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL), International Private Line (IPL) or call-collect numbers. Project feasibility and pricing can be checked in real-time, 24/7. Services can then be deployed globally right from the platform. After services are deployed, the flexibility of Click allows users to instantly modify bandwidth to meet specific changing needs. Click puts two major breakthroughs to use: the aggregation of partner networks and the definition of API standards with the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) streamlining collaboration between partners. Connectivity services are therefore made available along a user-friendly digital journey, through Orange Wholesale’s self-service NaaS platform, APIs or partner portals. Order, billing and ticketing history as well as assistance can also be accessed from the chosen interface anytime, anywhere. Although Click never ceases to incorporate new features, the platform is now live as a fully developed business solution.
In addition to these in-house SDN developments, Orange Wholesale is also active in innovations related to alternative connectivity solutions and fully supports daring start-up partners. Among them is Ternwaves, which has invented a revolutionary connectivity technology enabling Direct-to-Device communication between any smartphone and satellites. Relying on an innovative waveform, Ternwaves’ solution fits in a pocket, requires only little energy, emits very low levels of radiation and provides ultra-long range and high scalability. Satellite constellations in the LEO, GEO and MEO layers are all supported.
Ternwaves already let Orange Wholesale end the Open Tech fair on a high, as it was distinguished among the winners of the New Space challenge, focused on innovative startups in the field of “enabling non terrestrial and hybrid networks”.
