Pierre Jacobs, director of Orange Ouest, here at the launch of 5G in Rennes, March 30, 2021. -

C. Allain / 20 Minutes

  • Orange launched its 5G network on Tuesday in Rennes and in four towns in the metropolis.

  • The operator is the first to open its network in the Breton capital, where a 5G mission had been set up to collect the opinions of citizens.

  • This new network offers performance 3 to 5 times better than 4G and should make it possible to “de-saturate” the latter, which is very much in demand by the explosion in uses.

He was quick to draw.

Ten days after the presentation of the conclusions of the "5G mission" and the day after a city council where the issue was widely discussed, the operator Orange announced on Tuesday the launch of its 4G network in Rennes.

The new France Telecom employs around 5,500 people in the Breton capital, making it the leading private employer.

But Rennes is not the only one concerned.

Four other towns in the metropolis (Chantepie, Saint-Grégoire, Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande and Cesson-Sévigné) can also benefit from this new network which is often debated.

Provided you have an equipped mobile and a suitable package.

This Tuesday, when announcing the birth of their baby, local Orange officials sought to reassure more than to seduce.

They know that part of the population hungry for ever faster technology was eagerly awaiting this launch.

They also know that another party is legitimately wondering about this new network that some present sometimes as dangerous for health, sometimes as a source of inequalities.

“We waited for the 5G mission to deliver its conclusions to get started.

We want to continue this dialogue, ”assures Pierre Jacobs, director of Orange Ouest.

Two mobiles show the difference between 4G and 5G, here at the launch of 5G in Rennes, March 30, 2021. - C. Allain / 20 Minutes

Scheduled for the end of 2020, the launch of the network had been postponed by the operator in order to allow a citizens' committee to meet and discuss for several months around 5G.

A little more than 54 proposals had been made, notably asking for “more transparency on exposure to waves” and “pooling of facilities”.

"We were not late, tempers the regional director.

We continued to work, which enabled us to equip more sites and cover at least 80% of the five municipalities concerned ”.

Thirty-five existing sites equipped

To transmit, Orange has equipped 35 antenna sites, out of the hundred sites in total that it has in the area, and has chosen the 3.5 GHz frequency (four are possible).

“The programs are closely monitored and supervised.

The tests show us that we are ten times lower than the standards set by the National Frequency Agency (ANFR), ”says Olivier Mallegol, director of networks at Orange.

To convince the most reluctant, the operator has released his best arguments.

5G is much faster and will offer speeds three to five times higher than 4G.

It will make it possible to “desaturate” the highly demanded 4G and will in fact improve the quality of the network for all users.

Pierre Jacobs even puts forward a “greener” solution that would consume up to “ten times less energy for a downloaded gigabyte”.

Before concluding.

“There is a majority demand.

There are prejudices and there always have been.

But 5G technology is by far the most regulated ”.

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