Parallel Wireless Helps to Deliver on Orange's Open RAN Vision in Central African Republic

OpenRAN is Set to Enable Connectivity and Bridge the Digital Divide

NASHUA, New Hampshire, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Parallel Wireless, Inc., the leading U.S.-based OpenRAN company delivering the world's first software-defined end-to-end 5G 4G 3G 2G Open RAN solutions, today announced that, in partnership with i engineering Group, they have been selected by Orange within an overall multi-country program to extend the current coverage and to expand their current 700,000 subscriber base across the Central African Republic as the first deployment. In Africa, Orange is implementing a program called IDEAL: Include Digital in Every African Life. This program aims to provide digital services to their customers who do not have any connectivity today.

Orange, one of the largest operators of mobile and internet services in Europe and Africa and a global leader in corporate telecommunication services, is the most recent company to join the Central African Republic telecom market, which is comprised of four operators. Central African Republic is a digitally divided country with only 48% unique mobile connections and limited network infrastructure. Traditional 2G, 3G or 4G networks require expensive and bulky equipment to deploy and operate. These hardware-based networks are difficult and pricey to upgrade.

Parallel Wireless enables a shift to open, software-based, and virtualized OpenRAN network architectures to deliver scalable 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G software-based networks. These are cost-effective to deploy, maintain and can deliver the coverage and capacity to the end users and businesses across the country. The Parallel Wireless OpenRAN has shown a very strong performance, quality of service and cost benefits on six continents with:

• The most mature OpenRAN ecosystem of radio hardware that is software upgradable to any G and can support any 3GPP compliant RAN splits.
• COTS-based vBBU to deliver scalable capacity for differentiated voice and data.
• GLOMO award winning OpenRAN Controller software to lower the cost of RAN through simplification, automation via real-time SON, and full virtualization of networks. It also provides seamless mobility, local breakout, and low latency for the best subscriber experience for 2G voice and 3G/4G data. The software enables OpenRAN architecture and DU/CU split by using standards-based and open interfaces between network components. It also simplifies network management and integration of new RAN products into the core of the network.

Orange's strategic goal is to build and grow wireless networks across Africa, and to provide next-generation digital services to its customers in the region. Working in partnership with Parallel Wireless and i engineering Group, Orange will meet that goal by:

• Building a world-class, cloud-based, 5G-ready Open RAN network based on Parallel Wireless high-performance, distributed architecture;
• Improving service agility and reducing operational costs across geographically distributed sites, with the introduction of RAN automation;
• Utilizing i engineering Group expertise in building and managing cell sites.

Supporting quotes

Hervé Suquet, CTIO, Orange Middle East & Africa, said: "Through our IDEAL program (Include Digital in Every African Life), at Orange, we provide reliable connectivity to our customers, backed by our innovative infrastructure. The combination of RAN openness and virtualization, automation and new revenue-generating opportunities will enable Orange to lead the market to meet the needs of our customers most effectively in Central African Republic. Indeed, thanks to this technology, Orange RCA will provide to rural populations the full range of services (voice, data and Orange Money), already provided in urban areas. Being able to run 2G and 3G on the same system today and, as our customers upgrade their devices to 4G in the future, seamlessly upgrade to 4G will help us not only extend our initial investment, but also bring new services much faster. Parallel Wireless is a well-known Open RAN player, and together with the deployment and managed services expertise from i engineering Group, they have become true strategic partners and the key enablers in us undertaking this unique network modernization."

Kadri Hakim, Co-CEO, i engineering Group, said, "Innovation is a very important aspect for our business moving forward as we aim to develop innovative solutions for our customers. The focus of our cooperation with Parallel Wireless is to help to deliver on Orange's vision of connecting businesses and people by using Parallel Wireless's leading OpenRAN technology to allow everyone to enjoy wireless connectivity while future-proofing network investments for any forthcoming services."

Bernard Lamy, Sales Director, Parallel Wireless, said, "Implementing our world's leading Open RAN platform will allow Orange to enable new subscriber services to be deployed quickly, seamlessly and more reliably."

About Parallel Wireless

Parallel Wireless is the only U.S.-based company challenging the world's legacy vendors with the industry's only unified ALL G (5G/4G/3G/2G) software-enabled OpenRAN solution. Its cloud-native network software reimagines network economics for global mobile operators in both coverage and capacity deployments, while also paving the way to 5G. The company is engaged with 50+ leading operators worldwide. Parallel Wireless's innovation and excellence in multi-technology, open virtualized RAN solutions have been recognized with 72+ industry awards. For more information, visit: www.parallelwireless.com. Connect with Parallel Wireless on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About i engineering Group

Established in 2007, i engineering Group is a leading provider of end-to-end solutions in infrastructure and managed services in Africa and Emerging Markets. Initially expert in telecom and power infrastructure, we have grown rapidly since our inception reach 17 operations and have successfully diversified in Public Construction Infrastructure, Fiber Optic & Data Centers.

The Group's efficient approach coupled with the application of a rigorous quality management system has earned it a large portfolio of internationally renowned clients as well as numerous industry accreditations.

With local expertise and international reach, we provide cost effective and innovative solutions that allow our clients to reach their business goals. For more information, visit: https://www.ieng-group.com/

About Orange

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42 billion euros in 2019 and 145,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 85,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 253 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 208 million mobile customers and 21million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group presented its new "Engage 2025" strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

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