Orange is advancing the rollout of 5G SA, branded as 5G+, enhancing speed and reducing latency for businesses. Launching a mobile offering for professional clients on February 6, it promises exclusive bandwidth and high-quality connectivity. Innovations like network slicing and VoNR improve service quality and user experience. While Orange’s plan costs 79 euros monthly, competitors Free, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom are also entering the market, each with unique offerings to enhance mobile connectivity for enterprises.
Building on the evolution introduced by 4G+, Orange is now pushing to establish the term 5G+ to signify the transition to standalone 5G (5G SA). This “pure” version of 5G operates independently of the existing 4G frameworks.
Four years post the initial rollout of 5G, the advent of 5G SA finally delivers on the promises made at the outset.
This transition offers a theoretical speed enhancement of up to ten times and latency reduced to mere milliseconds, which holds significant appeal for the business sector.
Exclusive Bandwidth for Businesses
Following the announcement of its 5G SA solution tailored for consumers, dubbed “5G+ Home,” Orange is now set to unveil a mobile offering specifically for professional clients, including SMEs and larger enterprises, on February 6. This new 5G+ service will grant BtoB clients access to unique features that 5G SA provides, beginning with enhanced network capacity and exclusive bandwidth.
With this upgrade, businesses will no longer face congestion issues; they can expect “high-performing and secure mobile connectivity, even in densely populated environments,” as stated by the company. Orange proudly claims to operate the largest 5G network in France at 3.5 GHz, boasting over 11,330 active sites.
In addition, 5G SA introduces innovative features. Network slicing technology enables the division of a mobile network into “slices,” allowing prioritization for crucial applications, especially in industrial settings, ensuring high service quality. Furthermore, communication security is bolstered through enhanced encryption of SIM card identification data.
Moreover, the user experience is significantly improved with the introduction of VoNR (Voice over New Radio). This technology, which replaces VoLTE (Voice over LTE), enhances call quality, minimizes latency and connection setup times, extends battery life, and maintains data connectivity.
Crystal-Clear Video Conferencing
Thanks to these advancements, Orange foresees numerous practical applications. 5G SA is set to revolutionize remote work and collaboration, allowing for “high-definition video calls,” even in crowded settings, supported by reduced latency and stable connections.
Blue-collar workers will also benefit from this technology. Employees in fields such as construction, manufacturing, or logistics can access vital business information in real-time via their mobile devices. Additionally, the event industry stands to gain. The 5G+ network facilitates ticketing and payment services, even in densely populated venues.
However, these enhancements come with a cost. Orange’s exclusive Performance offer for 5G+ includes a plan with 350 GB of data for use in mainland France, alongside unlimited voice calls and SMS/MMS to and from mainland France, all offered without any contractual obligation at a monthly rate of 79 euros, excluding tax. To take advantage of this offer, users must possess a compatible smartphone such as the Samsung S24 or Xiaomi 14T.
Competitive Landscape: Free, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom
This pricing may appear steep. While it’s essential to recognize that consumer offers cannot be directly compared due to the specialized services included, Free, the first provider to offer 5G SA to its customers, features a plan with 350 GB of data priced at around 20 euros, including tax, each month.
In the wake of Free and Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom are expected to quickly roll out their respective offerings. In December 2023, SFR claimed to be the first operator to deliver a 5G SA slicing service for businesses during a live football match.
Meanwhile, Bouygues Telecom Enterprises launched a hybrid network solution in February, leveraging its 5G SA core network for the BtoB sector. This initiative aims to make private 5G more accessible, providing users with the benefits of a private infrastructure—such as guaranteed speed, low latency, and enhanced security—while optimizing installation and operational expenses.