The agreement forms part of Orange’s Engage 2025 plan, to drive its internal transformation using artificial intelligence (AI) and data in order to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience.
The collaboration will also lay the foundation for the future development of new advanced cloud, edge computing and cybersecurity services, creating business opportunities for both Google Cloud and Orange.
“Orange is a pioneer of digital transformation and is pleased to partner with Google to accelerate its data and AI transformation and continue towards a better service for its customers,” said Stéphane Richard (pictured), chairman and CEO of Orange.
“Google has been a long term partner of Orange and, as Google is eager to invest in Europe - and especially in France - to develop new data centres, this is the perfect time to work on new services and opportunities in French and European markets.”
Under the terms of the partnership, Google will provide its expertise in cloud technologies, analytics and AI tools, as well as its digital transformation methodology and dedicated resources. Orange in turn, will contribute its expertise in information and communication technology services and its multi-national network infrastructure.
Orange plans to build a next-generation data analytics and machine-learning platform with Google technologies, which is set to benefit consumers and businesses across Europe by bringing powerful cloud-computing capabilities to the edge of the network, such as in retail, gaming, to name a few.
In addition, the collaboration will also strengthen Orange Business Services’ portfolio by bringing value-added analytics and additional cloud services based on Google Cloud solutions and strengthening Orange Cyberdefense’s leading capabilities.
“The strength of Orange’s network, combined with Google Cloud’s platform, will help pave the way for new advanced cloud and edge computing services for the telecommunications industry in Europe,” added Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
“We look forward to working together with Orange to bring new services and applications to customers and businesses alike, while also continuing to grow our support for European enterprises in their digital transformation journeys.”
Specifically, Orange and Google Cloud will jointly create an Innovation Lab and a Center of Excellence.
The Innovation Lab will enable new industry solution development based on data and AI within the broader framework of the evolving 5G / edge computing ecosystem.
While the Center of Excellence will provide Google Cloud support for Orange France and other Orange affiliates as they engage in their cloud transformation. Additionally, the centre will provide training in data, AI and cloud services for several thousand Orange employees.
