Orange focuses on Rennes as strategic hub amid copper network phase-out

Orange is positioning Rennes, France, as a critical strategic hub for its future operations, focusing on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, telecommunications networks, and quantum research. The company employs approximately 7,300 people in the Brittany region, with a high concentration of specialists and researchers located between Rennes and Lannion.

As part of its technological transition, Orange is managing the decommissioning of its legacy copper network. In the Orne department, the copper network is scheduled to cease functioning in fifteen communes on January 31, 2027, as fiber optics and mobile technologies take precedence. This transition is part of a broader national plan to dismantle and recycle copper infrastructure across France, with a complete phase-out expected by 2030.

To support users during this shift, Orange is implementing awareness campaigns and offering alternative solutions, such as 4G/5G boxes or satellite internet, for households facing technical connection constraints.