In addition to other regions, Orange operates in 22 European countries and serves nearly 85 million mobile subscribers. Regarded as the most capable European operator in R&D terms, the company boasts 16 research institutes around the globe. Positioned as a leading European mobile operator, Orange has remained dedicated to developing new services and solutions to perpetuate its stature across the industry. The company has also been searching for a long-term strategic partner to help reduce its TCO and increase its operational revenue, and a strategic choice came to fruition with the Belgian Grand Prix.

Sharing excitement on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit

"GO, GO, GO KIMI!" On September 16, 2007, the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix began in Spa-Francochamps amidst a flurry of deafening screams and shouts and a sea of mobile phone activity as countless fans made video calls to share their excitement, while reporters from all over the world took full advantage of the HSPA network to cover the race.

The Spa-Francochamps circuit is located in the center of Belgium and has been the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix since 1985. The 6.973-kilometer circuit is the sport's longest, and is generally regarded as the leading world venue and home to the best races. Tracing the uneven contours of a hill, the circuit is considered to be one of the most challenging Grand Prix circuits, the downhill run providing an especially breathtaking stretch. The rugged terrain has always hindered network coverage and high-speed mobile data services have remained unfeasible, representing a disappointment to the legion of fans wishing to record the action.

In April 2007, Huawei began deploying Distributed Node Bs in Belgium having fully considered the topographical variations among different spots in the circuit and landform complexity. Huawei proceeded to implement its wireless network planning solution and antennas based on existing sites surveys in a move to significantly save the operator, Orange, network construction costs by utilizing current equipment rooms, site equipment and antennas. IP and multi-carrier technologies were introduced to Orange's network so as to enable end-to-end IP networking from the interior to the exterior, while greatly improving the system's bandwidth throughput capability.

After network reconstruction, Orange was able to provide subscribers with a rich and flexible service experience that included mobile broadband services, VoIP and mobile TV. The communications network covering the Spa-Francochamps circuit has remained as a permanent fixture that will benefit legions of fans and reporters for years to come.