Orange Belgium is engaging Nokia for a multi-year transformation of its transport network, aiming to build a future-proof optical network. The upgrade is designed to support the growing demand for AI, 5G, and quantum security.
With Nokia’s help, Orange Belgium will overhaul its core network in the coming years. The transformation plan is based on merging fixed and mobile networks into a single converged optical network. This should increase operational efficiency and accelerate the delivery of new services. Philippe Toussaint, CTO at Orange Belgium, emphasizes the importance of this step for the Belgian digital economy and future connectivity.
The modernization includes the implementation of Nokia’s 1830 PSS platform, which forms the backbone for both metro and backbone infrastructure. This platform supports speeds from 1G to 400G and beyond, with a robust management layer for synchronization and automation. Nokia’s WaveSuite software plays a crucial role in this by streamlining network management and increasing resilience via a GMPLS control plane. The Finnish telecom company was already Orange’s main partner in the rollout of the 5G network.
More than just speed
The upgrade does not focus exclusively on bandwidth to increase speed, but also on future technologies such as AI and quantum-proof security. The ‘deadline’ to prepare networks and computing infrastructure for the long-awaited arrival of quantum computers and the security challenges they bring has been moved forward to 2029 by various institutions. Guil Yazdi, VP at Nokia, points out that classic network architectures are also no longer sufficient for the exponential growth of AI workloads.
The new network will not only deliver better performance but also lay the foundation for future applications such as machine-to-machine communication and autonomous services. The implementation of thin transponders on the 1830 PSS platform contributes to a more efficient data transport capacity for scalable AI infrastructures.
Practical impact
Orange Belgium is opting for a phased approach, with the modernization spanning several years. This approach ensures a gradual transition without disrupting existing services. The project also marks the first deployment of Nokia’s 1830 PSS platform within an Orange subsidiary, further strengthening the collaboration between the two companies.
The announcement from Nokia and Orange follows shortly after competitor Proximus announced it was modernizing its optical network in collaboration with the French company Ekinops.