Orange chose Nokia and Ericsson to deploy 5G networks in the French domestic market. The reason was that Huawei still faces equipment security reviews in Europe. Orange explained in a statement that it had selected suppliers after several months of testing. Afterword, it signed contracts with both suppliers to provide a complete set of products and services to support the deployment of France 5G network coverage.
The cooperation with Nokia is mainly concentrated in the western and southeastern regions of France. The company has provided 2G, 3G and 4G wireless access networks in these regions. Ericsson will deploy equipment in Ile-de-France and the Northeast and Southwest, where it already has operations.
Orange CEO Fabienne Dulac said that the deployment of 5G represents a huge challenge. This process is one of the main priorities of our Engage 2025 strategic plan for France 5G network.
The company is expected to launch a commercial 5G service in France this year, once the French regulator holds a spectrum auction in March. During Orange’s decision this week, Huawei has received much attention for its 5G business in continental Europe.
read more: 5g Construction In Europe With Huawei: Austria Will Not Ban
The British government allowed Huawei to continue to provide 5G network equipment to the country. But the latter excluded it from the core network and set a 35% wireless access network share limit.
The European Commission has also issued a series of guidelines to member states on the security of 5G networks. Among them, Huawei is not compulsorily banned, and it is up to governments to decide the role of the supplier.