The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to attract millions of visitors, thousands of athletes, and capture the attention of billions globally. Amid this massive scale, Orange SA, France’s leading telecom operator, has undertaken the challenge of providing unprecedented connectivity. The promise is to deliver seamless communication and broadcast capabilities, ensuring that the Paris Games go down in history as the most connected event ever. This ambitious project features a robust private 5G network, extensive coverage areas, and cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing the viewer experience both on-site and worldwide.
Massive Infrastructure Preparation
To cater to over 15 million visitors and around 15,000 athletes from 206 countries, Orange’s preparation spans across 120 official sites in Paris. This extensive network infrastructure is crucial for the effective functioning of such a large-scale event. The deployment includes key venues like the Stade de France, Arena Bercy, and the Paris La Défense Arena, among others. A particular highlight is the 6 km stretch along the Seine dedicated to boating events, which exemplifies the comprehensive coverage. Beyond mere coverage, Orange is also focusing on optimizing performance and reliability through a private 5G network. This network is a departure from the mixed 5G and Wi-Fi configurations utilized in previous Games, such as those in Tokyo 2020. The private nature of this network assures that it can handle the heavy load with improved speed and stability essential for a multitude of simultaneous high-definition broadcasts.
Orange’s vast preparations underscore the scale of the endeavor. Key components of the infrastructure include not only the vast network of communication sites but also the technical complexities of ensuring uninterrupted service. The 5G network’s private aspect plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing dedicated and stable connectivity, crucial for the high demands expected during the games. This deployment aims at achieving an unprecedented level of performance, allowing real-time communication and seamless broadcasting across various platforms. The management of massive network traffic, along with the provision of top-tier service, highlights Orange’s commitment to these Olympic Games.
Cutting-Edge Technical Innovations
The core of Orange’s mission revolves around their private 5G standalone (5G SA) network. This advanced technology not only ensures high speed and low latency but also introduces sophisticated features like network slicing. Network slicing allows for dedicated bandwidth segments, which are particularly beneficial for broadcasting needs. This means individual events can have guaranteed network performance without being impacted by other activities. Moreover, the integration of Cisco core and radio access network components featuring Intel chipsets is a crucial element. This setup prioritizes uplink throughput to facilitate live broadcasts efficiently. By configuring the network to allocate 80% of its capacity to uplink, Orange is effectively addressing one of the most critical demands—transmitting high-definition content rapidly and reliably from numerous camera sources to the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC).
Orange’s technology strategy revolves around leveraging the standalone architecture of 5G, ensuring that its network delivers high-speed, reliable, and low-latency connectivity. The employment of network slicing means that specific applications, particularly those crucial for real-time broadcasting, will not face interruptions, thereby maintaining a consistent quality of service. The technical infrastructure, underpinned by Cisco and Intel components, focuses on enhancing uplink capacity, crucial for the transmission of live event feeds. This focus on uplink optimization marks a significant innovation tailored to meet the exhaustive broadcasting requirements of the Games.
Enhanced Broadcasting Capabilities
With a flair for grandiosity, Orange aims to deploy an unprecedented number of cameras for the Paris Olympics. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies alone will feature about 500 cameras, a significant increase from previous events. Notably, 200 of these cameras will leverage advanced smartphone technology, specifically the Samsung Galaxy S24, marrying convenience with high performance. The seamless integration of these cameras with the private 5G network ensures high-definition, live broadcasts that can be viewed worldwide. The consistency and quality of the feeds are paramount, especially considering the expected near four billion global viewers. Beyond the main arenas, complex zones like the Marina de Marseille will be equipped with cell antennas on vessels, ensuring uninterrupted coverage of sailing events. This holistic approach underscores the dedication to capturing every moment, irrespective of location challenges.
The focus on broadcasting capabilities illustrates the lengths to which Orange is willing to go to ensure comprehensive coverage. By deploying a mix of traditional cameras and advanced smartphone cameras, Orange is combining high-end technology with flexibility. The use of a private 5G network enables these devices to send real-time high-definition feeds back to the broadcasting center seamlessly. This suite of broadcasting solutions represents a significant leap forward from previous Olympic Games, highlighting the importance Orange places on viewer experience and content quality.
Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions
Maritime events pose significant connectivity challenges, often plagued by interference and distance issues. Addressing this, Orange will equip vessels with cell antennas to maintain robust, low-latency connections. This innovative solution highlights Orange’s commitment to overcoming unique challenges presented by different sporting environments. Complementing the 5G backbone, Wi-Fi networks will serve critical support functions for media personnel, organizing committees, and various technical operations. Orange plans to establish 50 temporary cell sites and enhance permanent network infrastructures in vital locations, including the Stade De France. This dual-layered approach ensures operational efficiency and comprehensive coverage, balancing public demands with back-end needs.
The challenges of orchestrating seamless connectivity for an event of this magnitude require multifaceted solutions. Orange’s strategy of equipping maritime vessels with cell antennas is a testament to their forward-thinking approach to overcoming geographical and technical hurdles. Not only does this ensure that all events, including those in challenging environments, receive adequate coverage but it also illustrates the adaptability of Orange’s technical deployment. Establishing temporary cell sites and enhancing existing infrastructures further showcases the meticulous planning involved in ensuring exhaustive coverage across all venues.
Public and Event-Specific Connectivity
Public connectivity needs will primarily be met through an enhanced mobile network. This strategy diverges from the typical reliance on Wi-Fi and embraces high-capacity mobile solutions. Orange’s extensive network of 100G spanning 60 sites, with about 100,000 internet access points, will support myriad services from media streaming to spectator connectivity. Optimizing the public’s experience while maintaining robust event-specific networks is a delicate balancing act. The push-to-talk (PTT) service, running on Orange’s 4G network, exemplifies this effort. With over 13,000 devices for Olympic staff, committees, athletes, volunteers, and security teams, this already available commercial infrastructure is being innovatively repurposed to meet the critical and secure communication demands of the event.
Emphasizing high-capacity mobile solutions over traditional Wi-Fi networks allows Orange to ensure that public connectivity remains robust and uninterrupted. The strategic deployment of extensive network infrastructure aids in managing the enormous demand expected during the Games. Furthermore, the PTT service on Orange’s 4G network highlights their blend of commercial viability and innovative application. Utilizing over 13,000 devices, this service extends secure, reliable communication to a broad set of stakeholders, reflecting the critical nature of effective, real-time communication in event management.
Push-to-Talk Service Innovation
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are slated to be a momentous event, drawing in millions of visitors, hosting thousands of world-class athletes, and captivating the attention of billions of spectators across the globe. Within this grand spectacle, Orange SA, France’s leading telecommunications operator, has taken on the formidable task of providing groundbreaking connectivity. Orange aims to deliver flawless communication and broadcast capabilities, ensuring the Paris Games are remembered as the most connected in history.
This ambitious endeavor will feature an advanced private 5G network, promising not only robust performance but also extensive coverage. These efforts will enable a seamless experience for viewers, athletes, and visitors alike, both on-site in Paris and for those tuning in from around the world.
Cutting-edge technologies are being deployed to enhance the overall experience, including high-speed internet, augmented reality features, and real-time data sharing, making the 2024 Paris Games a pioneering event in the digital age. Additionally, Orange SA’s commitment to sustainability means that these technological advancements will also be energy-efficient, aligning with the broader goals of responsible innovation.
In summary, the 2024 Games are set to be a landmark in global sports, not only for athletics but also for their unparalleled connectivity, setting new standards for future international events.
