Samsung Electronics and Orange Group have expanded their partnership to advance virtualized RAN and Open RAN deployments across Europe, moving into the next phase of their collaboration in 2026. The decision follows successful pilots launched in 2023, where Samsung’s vRAN and Open RAN solutions were integrated into Orange’s live network.
The companies confirmed plans to increase the number of vRAN and Open RAN sites, citing improved Quality of Service and enhanced end-user experience. According to the partners, performance levels matched or exceeded traditional RAN systems, demonstrating operational maturity and reliability.
As part of the new phase, Orange will deploy Samsung’s AI-powered vRAN integrated with Intel Xeon 6 system-on-a-chip technology. The solution operates on a single commercial off-the-shelf server from Dell, supported by a cloud platform from Wind River. The upgraded configuration delivers higher computing power, enabling high-capacity network requirements to run on a single server.
The architecture reduces footprint, improves energy efficiency, and simplifies operations while allowing Orange to manage intensive workloads and AI applications more effectively. Unused computing capacity can also be allocated to AI and edge applications within the existing network infrastructure.
Both companies emphasized their commitment to open, software-driven network platforms designed to enhance resilience, flexibility, and innovation. The expanded collaboration aims to accelerate Orange’s network transformation and strengthen AI readiness across its European operations.
Orange maintained strict capital expenditure discipline, with eCAPEX declining 0.4 percent to €6.208 billion, representing 15.4 percent of revenues. The company is shifting from intensive network rollouts to value creation while accelerating the decommissioning of legacy copper and 2G and 3G infrastructure. A €1.676 billion provision was recorded to support copper dismantling through 2030, marking 2025 as the industrial phase of Europe’s copper switch-off.
The operator strengthened its 5G footprint, launching 5G+ standalone services in France and reaching 85 percent population coverage in Poland. Fiber expansion remained strong, with 65.5 million connectable households globally, rising to around 100 million including MasOrange and FiberCos. In Spain, the PremiumFiber joint venture with Vodafone and GIC became operational with more than 12 million access lines.
Total global connections reached 310.9 million, including 272.8 million mobile subscribers, up 7.8 percent. Africa and the Middle East drove growth, adding 19.6 million customers. Fiber customers increased 14 percent to 15.4 million, while convergent customers in Europe rose to 9.3 million.
Under its new five-year “Trust the Future” plan, Orange will prioritize customer intimacy, innovation and operational scale, with AI integration central to achieving €1 billion in procurement savings and enhancing network and customer interactions.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH