• Excellence in user experience, including security, is an operational priority, exemplified by the work on WPA3-CM (a protocol introduced with Wi-Fi 7). Orange has identified and fixed critical bugs and has mobilized international operators to ensure a seamless transition to robust and secure technologies.
• A driving force in energy efficiency (Green Wi-Fi), Orange has notably created a dedicated group within the Wi-Fi Alliance for precise power management.
In the world of Wi-Fi, Orange is more than just a router provider. “We are not seen as a mere operator that buys and integrates equipment. There is genuine recognition of our know-how and expertise,” says Rida Zouaoui, Head of Wireless Technology and Strategy at Orange. The operator has built its credibility over the years by actively participating in standardization and certification bodies—the IEEE and the Wi-Fi Alliance—which define global Wi-Fi standards. Orange’s presence in these two bodies gives us a form of legitimacy within the ecosystem. When we meet with major industry players, we speak as equals. We have chaired certain groups, notably the operators’ group, and then a new group” This position allows Orange to play a unique role: “We are the voice of our customers, a mission we consider essential in this ecosystem.”
Within the Wi-Fi Alliance, Orange has created several groups, including the operators’ group and, most recently, a group called “AP Power,” dedicated to the precise management of access point energy consumption
Security, an operational priority
The most telling recent example remains the work on WPA3, the security protocol mandated by Wi-Fi 7. “Orange has worked on certifications such as WPA3 to ensure that the transition to robust and secure new technologies is seamless for users.” It was while analyzing the transition process defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance that Orange’s teams detected critical bugs. “Our analyses and tests revealed inconsistencies. The real risk was that Wi-Fi 7 usage would be disrupted and that customers would end up with devices that could no longer connect.” Orange therefore mobilized international operators to reach a consensus on a corrected solution. The guiding principle is clear: “Our goal, whenever a technology reaches customers, is for it to deliver its best performance without them having to worry about it.”
Sustainability: A Battle Fought from Within
When it comes to energy efficiency, Orange faces an industry reality: chipset manufacturers have historically not prioritized energy consumption in gateways (APs). “Today, Wi-Fi either runs at full power or is turned off. There is no way to adjust it based on user needs.” Yet operator equipment runs 24/7. Faced with an industry that is largely American and largely indifferent to European energy concerns, Orange has chosen the path of persuasion. Within the Wi-Fi Alliance, “we’ve managed to create a group called AP Power, dedicated to fine-tuning the power consumption of access points. The result illustrates “the persuasive power and credibility of Orange within this ecosystem.” This initiative has been underway since the Livebox 4: “The goal is optimal Wi-Fi usage, combining performance for the customer with energy efficiency.”
Smart Wi-Fi for a better customer experience
Orange is also focusing on what it calls Smart Wi-Fi—intelligent management of home connectivity. “The idea is to automatically select the best channel and manage devices so they always have the best connection.” This fine-tuned control, or steering, continuously optimizes network distribution among devices. The support goes further, with proactive diagnostics. “The Livebox proactively detects and diagnoses Wi-Fi issues and offers tailored solutions, all in a way that’s completely transparent to the customer.” Whether it’s positioning the Livebox, detecting interference, or determining the need for a repeater… Orange anticipates these needs before the customer even notices a problem.
Avoiding the marketing race
What about Wi-Fi 8, which is on the horizon? “Wi-Fi 8 will be more of an evolution of Wi-Fi 7 than a revolution, and we want to integrate features that will provide real added value for customers. ” Orange’s priority isn’t simply to race toward the latest generation of Wi-Fi, but to ensure that each new generation of Wi-Fi is an opportunity to improve the quality of its customers’ Wi-Fi experience. “We want to offer the best Wi-Fi based on customers’ needs, regardless of the technological generation. ” Because for the operator, value is measured by the quality of the experience offered to customers: “What the customer wants is for their Wi-Fi to work well, all the time and wherever they need it.” A positioning summed up in one phrase: “Our ambition is to elevate the overall performance of Wi-Fi, far beyond the mere race for speed.”
Rida Zouaoui
