Orange Launches Satellite Broadband in France

The Orange Telecom Teleport in Bercenay-en-Othe, France. Photo: Orange/ViaLite

Orange, one of Europe’s biggest telcos, is bringing satellite broadband to its customers in mainland France. Orange revealed details of the new ‘Orange Satellite with Nordnet’ offer, Nov. 16. This new satellite offer from Orange is particularly aimed at customers not eligible for fiber and those with ADSL speeds of less than 8 Mbps. It is marketed through Orange distribution channels and operated by Nordnet, a Group company that specializes in satellite Internet.

Orange is offering customers broadband with a connection speed of up to 200 Mbps downstream and 15 Mbps upstream. After subscribing, customers will receive a satellite kit, which they can install on their own or with the help of Nordnet and its network of specialist installation partners. The satellite kit can be purchased for 299 euros ($324.42) or rented for eight euros ($8.68) a month.

This offer is based on the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite, which entered service in October. This offer is part of the French government’s Cohésion Numérique des Territoires (Digital Cohesion of Regions) program, and meets the government’s objective of guaranteeing access to superfast broadband (greater than 30 Mbps) for all by 2025. Homes without good wired broadband can benefit from a subsidy.

“The launch of Orange Satellite with Nordnet is another step towards the deployment of superfast broadband for everyone, everywhere in mainland France. Orange is proud to be able to offer all customers a superfast broadband access solution thanks to technology mix. Our range of connectivity offers now includes satellite, in addition to 4G and 5G Home, fiber and ADSL. This new offer responds to the needs of the French population, whatever their connectivity requirements, even in the most remote areas,” Jean-François Fallacher, executive vice president and CEO of Orange France, said in a statement.