France
All the latest key telecoms and digital infra insight, news and analysis from France.
M&A
Orange heads off Spanish IPO with co-owner buyout
French group secures a provisional, €4.25bn deal to buy out its fellow shareholders in Spain’s MásOrange, as it continues to pro-actively push for telco consolidation in European markets.
Analyst Briefing
Orangewatch: M&A back on agenda in France (and maybe Spain)
Latest developments in Orange ecosystem: Altice France dismantling bid; coverage of Q3 FY25 results; updates on MásOrange ownership speculation; Network X discourse on open RAN, softwarisation, AI, and sovereignty.
Financial & Performance
Equity vs debt: who blinks first in UK fibre consolidation showdown?
In-depth: While sector consolidation presents complexity for altnets seeking to evolve, challenges faced by financial backers invested through equity and loan facilities should not be underestimated.
Financial & Performance
Orange’s Heydemann keeps M&A hopes alive as talks with Altice continue
Q3 FY25: Orange Group’s CEO uses the operator’s quarterly results presentation to insist that a joint buyout by Orange and rivals is the best solution for challenged competitor SFR, despite the recent rejection of their opening offer.
Technology
Orange plots more open RAN trials as tech gains in maturity
Network X: Atoosa Hatefi says Orange is confident that open RAN is closing the performance gap with traditional RAN.
Network & Infra
Orange’s Trabbia: telcos need a DNA switch to meet resiliency challenge
Network X: The CEO of Orange Wholesale sees asset ownership and network software-isation as core principles underpinning future network resilience and strategic independence in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
Network & Infra
EXA raises €1.3bn to drive network expansion, M&A ambitions
Further network expansion and acquisitions on the cards for EXA with latest fundraise, which follows the launch of several projects to grow its footprint over the past year…
Venturing & Investments
Impact investor STOA fuels Atlas Tower’s Kenyan expansion plans
Africa-focused, French infra fund backs growing tower operator, supporting build acceleration and sustainable energy efficiency initiatives…
M&A
French telco trio unveil their SFR consolidation pitch
Orange, Bouygues, and Iliad confirm a long-rumoured move for troubled rival SFR, but a reported to have been knocked back by latter’s parent Altice.
M&A
Orange said to be advancing broadcasting unit sale
Operator reportedly in the early stages of divesting Globecast subsidiary, which could see the telco further distance itself from the increasingly competitive broadcasting segment, following on from other sales in recent years…
Network & Infra
Orange hosts first landing for Medusa subsea cable in Marseille
The 8,700km system marks a major milestone as it makes land in the southern French city, with the first phase to be ready early next year…