Launches satellite project in Wallis and Futuna: Orange initiates the Nuanua satellite program.
Orange and SES Bring High-Speed Internet to Wallis and Futuna with the Nuanua Project
The Nuanua project, a collaboration between telecommunications giant Orange and satellite operator SES, aims to revolutionize the internet connectivity in the remote French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna, located in the South Pacific.
Key Aspects of the Nuanua Project
- Satellite Connectivity: The project utilizes SES's advanced satellite technology, including High Throughput Satellites (HTS), to deliver high-speed broadband internet to the islands.
- Partnership with Orange: Orange, as a key telecom provider, will implement the service locally, ensuring that the technology translates into improved and reliable internet access for residents and businesses.
- Overcoming Isolation: Wallis and Futuna have historically struggled with slow and unreliable internet due to the difficulty of laying submarine cables and their remote location. The Nuanua project bypasses these issues by using satellite connectivity.
- Enhanced Digital Inclusion: By improving broadband speed and reliability, the project aims to support local education, healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
- "Nuanua" Meaning: The name "Nuanua" means "rainbow" in the local Polynesian language, symbolizing hope and new horizons through better digital access.
Strengthening Digital Sovereignty and Sustainability
The Nuanua project is essential for strengthening the digital sovereignty of Wallis and Futuna. By providing a reliable, sustainable, and high-performance connectivity solution, it complements the existing connectivity delivered via a submarine network, making the territory less vulnerable to disruptions.
In addition, the project demonstrates Orange's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Solar panels, covering an area of 170 m2, will be installed to optimize the power supply for the installations, reducing the carbon footprint of the Orange group.
Modernizing the Infrastructure and Timeline
The Nuanua project is an initiative by Orange to replace the existing satellite infrastructure of the Wallis and Futuna Islands with SES's second-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) O3b mPOWER system. The project is co-financed by the European Union under the "Connecting Europe Facilities - Digital" programme.
The installation of this modern infrastructure is expected to take six months, with the project becoming operational by the end of the first half of 2025. The partnership includes Nadine Allen, the global head of enterprise and cloud, further emphasizing Orange's dedication to advancing digital services in the region.
The Nuanua project reflects Orange's commitment to connecting remote territories and enhancing essential digital services, which encourages economic and social development. By modernizing Wallis and Futuna's existing satellite network using SES's O3b mPOWER, the project showcases the expertise of Orange teams in the satellite domain and their ability to provide secure and resilient connectivity solutions.
- The Nuanua project, bringing high-speed internet to Wallis and Futuna through a collaboration with SES, incorporates advanced satellite technology like High Throughput Satellites (HTS) for enhanced digital inclusion.
- Orange's commitment to sustainable practices within the Nuanua project includes installing solar panels to optimize power supply for the installations, helping minimize the carbon footprint of the Orange group in space-and-astronomy and technology.
