One more step towards carbon neutrality.
To achieve this objective in 2040, Orange operates all the levers at its disposal.
Including the use of refurbished equipment for its mobile network.
The operator has just announced the signing of an agreement with Nokia.
The telecoms equipment manufacturer will be able to offer it reconditioned antennas for its 4G or 5G networks.
A real revolution in this industry.
Read alsoTelecoms aim for carbon neutrality
The ability to offer second-hand equipment will be "
an element of differentiation between suppliers
", underlines Ramon Fernandez, director of finance, performance and development of Orange. Indeed, the other major European in the sector, Ericsson should also set up a similar offer while Huawei has declined the proposal. By putting refurbished products in its catalog, Nokia is back in the race against its two big rivals. There is real potential, as operators regularly scrapped antennas, for example, when they pool their networks with that of competitors, as Orange is doing in Belgium or Poland.
“
This represents an important operational reorganization work for Nokia and Orange,
” adds Ramon Fernandez. It was therefore necessary to set up an "
internal platform to identify and reuse second-hand equipment between our subsidiaries.
". The length of the process to set up this new kind of product referencing constitutes another barrier to entry for Nokia's competitors. For its part, Orange is also waiting to reap the benefits of this cooperation. First of all, by reducing its environmental impact and that of the activity of its suppliers. The non-production of new equipment makes it possible to limit the use of raw materials, but also to make savings on transport, on the products are reused in the same geographical area. “
We are creating a new ecosystem, developing common practices. We must start the movement, the circular economy is being set up
», Adds Ramon Fernandez.
Economic gains are also expected, since reconditioned equipment makes it possible to obtain prices 15 to 30% lower than new.
The equipment can be reused in their country of origin, or sent to other areas, for example, to meet the need for mobile network deployment in African countries where Orange is present.
