PR84774

NASHUA, New Hampshire, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- OpenRAN is Set to Enable Connectivity and Bridge the Digital Divide

Parallel Wireless, Inc. (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=3185843356&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D1695785881%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fparallel-wireless-inc-%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=Parallel+Wireless%2C+Inc ),

the leading U.S.-based OpenRAN company delivering the world's first

software-defined end-to-end 5G 4G 3G 2G Open RAN solutions, today announced

that, in partnership with i engineering Group, they have been selected by

Orange within an overall multi-country program to extend the current coverage

and to expand their current 700,000 subscriber base across the Central African

Republic as the first deployment. In Africa, Orange is implementing a program

called IDEAL: Include Digital in Every African Life. This program aims to provide

digital services to their customers who do not have any connectivity today.

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Orange, one of the largest operators of mobile and internet services in Europe

and Africa and a global leader in corporate telecommunication services, is the

most recent company to join the Central African Republic telecom market, which

is comprised of four operators. Central African Republic is a digitally divided

country with only 48% unique mobile (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2009283277&u=https%3A%2F%2Fdatareportal.com%2Freports%2Fdigital-2020-central-african-republic&a=only+48%25+unique+mobile+ )

connections and limited network infrastructure.  Traditional 2G, 3G or 4G

networks require expensive and bulky equipment to deploy and operate.

These hardware-based networks are difficult and pricey to upgrade.

Parallel Wireless enables a shift to open, software-based, and virtualized

OpenRAN network architectures to deliver scalable 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G

software-based networks. These are cost-effective to deploy, maintain and can

deliver the coverage and capacity to the end users and businesses across the

country. The Parallel Wireless OpenRAN has shown a very strong performance,

quality of service and cost benefits on six continents with:

  -- The most mature OpenRAN ecosystem (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=1389007132&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2Fproducts%2Fsoftware-defined-virtualized-ran%2F&a=OpenRAN+ecosystem )

of radio hardware that is software upgradable to any G and can support any

3GPP compliant RAN splits.

  -- COTS-based vBBU to deliver scalable capacity for differentiated voice and data.

  -- GLOMO award winning OpenRAN Controller software  (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2583886972&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2Fproducts%2Fwifi-openran-controller%2F&a=OpenRAN+Controller+software )

to lower the cost of RAN through simplification, automation via real-time

SON, and full virtualization of networks. It also provides seamless mobility,

local breakout, and low latency for the best subscriber experience for 2G voice

and 3G/4G data. The software enables OpenRAN architecture and DU/CU split by

using standards-based and open interfaces between network components. It also

simplifies network management and integration of new RAN products into the core

of the network.

Orange's strategic goal is to build and grow wireless networks across Africa,

and to provide next-generation digital services to its customers in the region.

Working in partnership with Parallel Wireless and i engineering Group, Orange

will meet that goal by:

  -- Building a world-class, cloud-based, 5G-ready Open RAN network based on

     Parallel Wireless high-performance, distributed architecture;

  -- Improving service agility and reducing operational costs across

     geographically distributed sites, with the introduction of RAN automation;

  -- Utilizing i engineering Group expertise in building and managing cell sites.

Supporting quotes

Hervé Suquet, CTIO, Orange Middle East & Africa, said: "Through our IDEAL

program (Include Digital in Every African Life), at Orange, we provide reliable

connectivity to our customers, backed by our innovative infrastructure. The

combination of RAN openness and virtualization, automation and new

revenue-generating opportunities will enable Orange to lead the market to meet

the needs of our customers most effectively in Central African Republic.

Indeed, thanks to this technology, Orange RCA will provide to rural populations

the full range of services (voice, data and Orange Money), already provided in

urban areas. Being able to run 2G and 3G on the same system today and, as our

customers upgrade their devices to 4G in the future, seamlessly upgrade to 4G

will help us not only extend our initial investment, but also bring new

services much faster. Parallel Wireless is a well-known Open RAN player, and

together with the deployment and managed services expertise from i engineering

Group, they have become true strategic partners and the key enablers in us

undertaking this unique network modernization."

Kadri Hakim, Co-CEO, i engineering Group, said, "Innovation is a very important

aspect for our business moving forward as we aim to develop innovative

solutions for our customers. The focus of our cooperation with Parallel

Wireless is to help to deliver on Orange's vision of connecting businesses and

people by using Parallel Wireless's leading OpenRAN technology to allow

everyone to enjoy wireless connectivity while future-proofing network

investments for any forthcoming services."

Bernard Lamy, Sales Director, Parallel Wireless, said, "Implementing our

world's leading Open RAN platform will allow Orange to enable new subscriber

services to be deployed quickly, seamlessly and more reliably."

About Parallel Wireless

Parallel Wireless is the only U.S.-based company challenging the world's legacy

vendors with the industry's only unified ALL G (5G/4G/3G/2G) software-enabled

OpenRAN solution. Its cloud-native network software reimagines network

economics for global mobile operators in both coverage and capacity

deployments, while also paving the way to 5G. The company is engaged with 50+

leading operators worldwide. Parallel Wireless's innovation and excellence in

multi-technology, open virtualized RAN solutions have been recognized with 72+

industry awards. For more information, visit: www.parallelwireless.com. Connect

with Parallel Wireless on LinkedIn (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=318400310&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D1695785881%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fparallel-wireless-inc-%26a%3DLinkedIn&a=LinkedIn )

and Twitter (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=2440594230&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2420482-1%26h%3D217690187%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ftwitter.com%252FParallel_tw%26a%3DTwitter&a=Twitter ).

About i engineering Group

Established in 2007, i engineering Group is a leading provider of end-to-end

solutions in infrastructure and managed services in Africa and Emerging

Markets. Initially expert in telecom and power infrastructure, we have grown

rapidly since our inception reach 17 operations and have successfully

diversified in Public Construction Infrastructure, Fiber Optic & Data Centers.

The Group's efficient approach coupled with the application of a rigorous

quality management system has earned it a large portfolio of internationally

renowned clients as well as numerous industry accreditations.

With local expertise and international reach, we provide cost effective and

innovative solutions that allow our clients to reach their business goals. For

more information, visit: https://www.ieng-group.com/

About Orange

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with sales of

42 billion euros in 2019 and 145,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2020,

including 85,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of

253 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 208 million mobile

customers and 21million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26

countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication

services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services.

In December 2019, the Group presented its new "Engage 2025" strategic plan,

which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its

operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at

the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and

responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock

Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com,

www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr

(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2856222-1&h=1373842133&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Forangegrouppr&a=%40orangegrouppr ).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material

are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

SOURCE: Parallel Wireless

CONTACT: Eugina Jordan, VP, Marketing, Parallel Wireless,

Ejordan@parallelwireless.com, 978-660-8659