Orange and Google Cloud say they will partner to improve Orange’s IT infrastructure and the development of future cloud services, including edge computing, and cybersecurity. The collaboration will focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
The partnership with leverage Google’s expertise in cloud technologies, analytics, and AI tools, as well as digital transformation methodology and dedicated resources. Orange will contribute its expertise in information and communication technology services and its multi-national network infrastructure. For example, Orange plans to build a next-generation data analytics and machine-learning platform using Google technologies. Overall, the partners expect to enable flexible and secure cloud-based offerings for the business-to-business, wholesale, and business-to-consumer markets.
Toward these ends, Google and Orange will establish an Innovation Lab and a Center of Excellence. The lab will focus on technology and service development, while the center will provide Google Cloud support for Orange France and other Orange affiliates. The support will include training for Orange employees.
“Orange is a pioneer of digital transformation and is pleased to partner with Google to accelerate its data and AI transformation and continue towards a better service for its customers,” said Stéphane Richard, chairman and CEO of Orange. “Google has been a long-term partner of Orange and, as Google is eager to invest in Europe - and especially in France - to develop new data centers, this is the perfect time to work on new services and opportunities in French and European markets.”
Added Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, “The strength of Orange’s network, combined with Google Cloud’s platform, will help pave the way for new advanced cloud and edge computing services for the telecommunications industry in Europe. We look forward to working together with Orange to bring new services and applications to customers and businesses alike, while also continuing to grow our support for European enterprises in their digital transformation journeys.”
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