Ultra Connectivity | Orange reinforces network throughout the 'Tour de France'

From 6 to 28 July, during all 21 stages, the Orange teams will be mobilised to bring the Tour de France to the rest of the world. Orange’s ambition is to bring cycling enthusiasts all the passion and enjoyment of the world’s 3rd most watched sports competition.

The unrivalled technological prowess is made possible with meticulous planning and anticipation that showcases Orange’s technical expertise.

Orange has supported the Tour de France for over 20 years and deploys innovative technology that is increasingly unique and specific to this competition. Tailor-made solutions are put in place every day to broadcast worldwide and ensure the race runs smoothly.

During the three-week race covering some 3,460 km, more than seventy Orange experts and technicians will be mobilised to produce the unique infrastructure and meet the network needs of its French customers.

The Tour de France is also a means of developing the digital infrastructure across the country. Over more than twenty years, the networks deployed for the Tour de France have enhanced the permanent coverage for towns and some unique locations around France. This year, 11 sites will benefit from a permanent fibre installation, and 37 municipalities visited by the Tour and 182 municipalities located within 10 km of race will benefit from the 4G mobile network.

Orange and the Tour de France  2019 key figures

3 semi-trailers
15 tonnes of equipment
32 km of cables for communication solutions
32 relays to reinforce the 3G/4G mobile network coverage
450 back office technicians
6 PABX, 3 DSLAM and 8 Wi-Fi networks at the end of each stage
220 km of optical fibre cables up to the finish line
500 temporary phone lines
More than 6,300 hours of broadcasting in 190 countries around the world
1.4 million minutes of internet

Innovation at the heart of the Tour de France
Fast 4G coverage in 219 municipalities
8 Wi-Fi networks deployed in each Tour de France village with an equivalent rate of 200 MB/s able to handle more than 10,000 simultaneous connections.

In addition to the Wi-Fi in the technical areas and at each finish line, the Orange teams will perform Li-Fi demonstrations - a wireless optical network to transmit data via LED for a more secure, faster and more environmentally-friendly connection.

A virtual reality demonstration in the fan parks will enable enthusiasts to experience the famous Col du Tourmalet descent on the bike of former Tour de France yellow jersey Charly Mottet.

And to reinforce security for all, Orange will supply a video surveillance system and security operations centre with seven infrared HD cameras.

Orange rises to the multiple challenges again this year
The Grand Départs outside France are always a great adventure. This year, the Tour is starting in Belgium, with various technical installations and precautions and network routing on the agenda once the riders have crossed the border.

The finish at Valloire is an unprecedented technical challenge, as the technical zone is 18 km from the finish line. Many kilometres of optical fibre are needed for all those involved in the Tour (cameras, organisation, etc.)

The finish at the top of the traditionally complex Val-Thorens will be followed by an overnight transfer to Paris for the final stage. This makes it a major challenge for the Orange technical teams.

Orange and the Tour de France

3 semi-trailers

15 tonnes of equipment

32 km of cables for communication solutions

32 relays to reinforce the 3G/4G mobile network coverage

450 back office technicians

6 PABX, 3 DSLAM and 8 Wi-Fi networks at the end of each stage

220 km of optical fibre cables up to the finish line

500 temporary phone lines

More than 6,300 hours of broadcasting in 190 countries around the world