Launches the Nuanua satellite venture by Orange in Wallis and Futuna islands
The remote archipelago of Wallis and Futuna in the South Pacific is set to experience a significant leap in internet connectivity, thanks to the Nuanua project. A collaboration between Orange, a major global telecommunications operator, and SES’s O3b mPOWER satellite system, Nuanua aims to provide high-capacity, reliable, and high-performance broadband internet access to the islands.
### What is the Nuanua project?
The purpose of the Nuanua project is to address the limited or non-existent traditional terrestrial connectivity infrastructure in Wallis and Futuna. Orange operates the telecommunications services, while SES supplies the satellite broadband via its O3b mPOWER system. This system is a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation that delivers low-latency, high-throughput broadband, bridging the digital divide in remote regions.
### Improving Connectivity in Wallis and Futuna
The O3b mPOWER satellites offer fiber-like internet speeds and low latency, dramatically improving user experience compared to older satellite services. The robust connectivity, regardless of terrain or distance between islands, makes it an ideal solution for the remote archipelago.
The system supports higher data volumes, enabling better support for education, healthcare, government services, business, and entertainment. Enhanced connectivity fosters economic development, improves education and healthcare access, and enables better communication for residents.
The satellite service can scale with demand, supporting future growth without the need for costly physical infrastructure upgrades. This scalability ensures that the Nuanua project meets the evolving needs of the islands' growing digital community.
### The Impact of Nuanua
The Nuanua project reflects Orange’s commitment to connecting remote territories and enhancing essential digital services. By modernizing the infrastructure of Wallis and Futuna, Orange demonstrates its commitment to developing the digital economy of the territory.
The project showcases the expertise of Orange teams in the satellite domain. Solar panels will be installed over an area of 170 m2 to optimize the power supply for the installations and reduce the carbon footprint of the Orange group.
The European Union is co-financing the Nuanua project under the "Connecting Europe Facilities - Digital" programme, underscoring the project's importance in strengthening the digital sovereignty of Wallis and Futuna.
Currently, the archipelago is served by one submarine cable, and this new solution enhances the diversity and resilience of essential connectivity. Nadine Allen, the global head of enterprise and cloud, has partnered with Orange on the Nuanua project, further emphasizing its significance.
In summary, the Nuanua project leverages Orange’s telecom expertise and SES’s cutting-edge LEO/MEO satellite technology to connect the Wallis and Futuna Islands with fast, reliable internet—transforming digital access in the archipelago and reducing isolation through advanced satellite broadband services. This project is a testament to Orange's dedication to digital inclusion and sustainable development.
The Nuanua project is a collaboration between Orange and SES, utilizing SES's O3b mPOWER satellite system to provide high-capacity, reliable, and high-performance broadband internet access. This project aims to address the limited or non-existent traditional terrestrial connectivity infrastructure in Wallis and Futuna by delivering low-latency, high-throughput broadband, which is crucial for science, space-and-astronomy, and technology advancements in the remote archipelago.
With the enhanced internet connectivity provided by the O3b mPOWER satellites, the islands of Wallis and Futuna can significantly benefit from improved access to education, healthcare, government services, business, and entertainment, fostering economic development and digital inclusion.
