Orange taps Vantiva for new Livebox as Belgian Gigabit broadband battle heats up

Orange Belgium has tapped Vantiva, the broadband and video technology outfit formerly known as Technicolor, to design and deploy the Livebox, its latest generation DOCSIS 3.1 hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) gateway and its Wi-Fi 6 extender booster.

The new Livebox will also enable Orange Belgium to launch a new Boost Giga broadband offering, providing 1Gbps with 95% nationwide coverage by mid-2024, according to the company.

The Livebox, based on open software stack RDK-B, is multi-gigabit enabled, thanks to the latest generation of DOCSIS 3.1 chipset and has a built-in 2.5 Gbps ethernet port.

The box is designed with advanced Wi-Fi 6 and a tower that optimizes Wi-Fi performance to connect all devices in the home, according to Vantiva. The gateway also includes EasyMesh technology and the new Wi-Fi 6 extender booster.

The company says taht both the gateway and Wi-Fi Booster modules have been designed to reduce the carbon footprint as they are easy to refurbish, made from 95% recycled plastic, exclude single-use plastics and are packaged with recycled cardboard.

“The Livebox is a testament to Orange Belgium’s commitment to innovation and superior digital experiences. Partnering with Vantiva, the industry leader in DOCSIS 3.1, RDK, and Wi-Fi technologies, we have developed a modem built on cutting-edge technology and powered by the globally acclaimed open software RDK-B. With its multi-gigabit capabilities, it sets new benchmarks in connectivity and unlocks a world of advanced and value-added experiences for our consumer and business customers,” said Philippe Toussaint, chief technology officer fixed network at Orange Belgium. “

“Orange Belgium is fully dedicated to offer its customers nothing but the best, with personalized solutions to meet the unique needs of each customer. Thanks to the Livebox, our customers can enjoy a state-of-the-art gigabit experience at home with increased speed options like Boost Giga, the fastest internet available with speeds of 1Gbps. The modem is also a symbol of our common commitment to a greener future and of our response to the increasing demand for sustainable products,” said Christophe Dujardin, chief consumer officer at Orange Belgium.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Orange Belgium as they look to the future and continue to provide exceptional service and tailored solutions to their customers, which has always been a key to Orange Belgium’s success. This partnership truly showcases the innovation and commitment to excellence that defines Vantiva. With our dedicated teams at our R&D centers in Belgium and France, The Livebox is sustainably built and has been specially customized to meet Orange Belgium’s specific requirements to be seamlessly integrated into its ecosystem,” said Mercedes Pastor, senior vice president of the global customer Unit at Vantiva.

Proximus launches 10Gbps throughout Belgium

News of Orange’s latest Livebox comes as rival service provider Proximus said it is extending the availability of 10Gbps broadband to all areas where it has fibre coverage.

The service  is being integrated into new Flex Fiber packs for residential customers from 10 July. Existing fiber customers will also get higher speeds automatically.

At the end of March, Proximus had reached a national coverage rate of 23%, with nearly 1.4 million homes and businesses connected. The fiber rollout is currently under way in 106 towns and cities across the country. In the Brussels region, more than 50% of the population is already covered.

From July 10, Proximus will offer three packs – Mega Fiber with 500Mbps, Giga Fiber with 2.5GFbps and Ultra Fiber with 8.5Gbps downstream.

Existing Flex Fiber customers will keep their current pack and enjoy an upgrade of their surfing speed to 500/500 Mbps for the standard experience or to 1 Gbps/500 Mbps for the Gigabit experience, depending on the makeup of their current pack.

“The rollout of the Gigabit network in Belgium is one of the most important pillars of our bold2025 strategy. After the launch in five cities earlier this year, I am proud to announce that the Multigig technology will be available in all fibre zones of Belgium from 10 July. Proximus is integrating the ultra-fast technology into the residential offer with 3 renewed Flex Fiber packs, guaranteeing an unparalleled surfing experience from 2.5 Gbps to 8.5 Gbps via 10 Gbps technology. With the fastest Internet via fiber, Proximus sets itself apart from its competitors. And it does this in terms of speed as well as stability and symmetrical speeds – a first in Belgium,” said Jim Casteele, consumer market lead at Proximus.