2021 Integrated Annual Report

Joint interview with Christel Heydemann, CEO and Stéphane Richard, Chairman

Discover the Orange Integrated Annual Report 2021 on video

Orange’s seventh integrated annual report explores how and why Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators.

Our Purpose, our strategy, a visual representation of our business model, and our corporate social responsibility initiatives.

It also looks at our infrastructure, our growth areas and our ESG commitments (Environment, Social, Governance)

This report illustrates Orange’s long-term performance and positive impact on society with key figures, diagrams and analyses.

Being a trusted partner in a responsible digital world is the cornerstone of our long-term growth strategy.

This report encapsulates our very essence—who we are, what we do and where we aim to be.

Our business model

Our purpose frames everything we do and runs through our entire business model, enabling us to continuously create value we can share.

Our business model: rolling out digital infrastructure (fiber networks, mutialized solutions, mobile networks), connect as many people as possible (individuals, businesses, operators), developing new, trusttworthy services (financial services, business IT support services, cybersecurity). Our raison d'être: Orange is the trusted player that gives everyone the keys to a responsible digital world.

Infrastructure: successful investments

Orange has been heavily investing in new-generation digital infrastructure for many years. Ground-breaking deployments enable us to fulfill our role as an essential operator committed to providing connectivity to as many people as possible and accelerating regional development.

In brief

  • Key performance indicators
  • Fiber, the crowning glory of our trailblazing investment approach
  • Submarine cables linking regions
  • Digital sovereignty, a growing priority for France and the rest of Europe
  • Our mobile networks are undergoing a revolution

Orange has been heavily investing in new-generation digital infrastructure for many years. Ground-breaking deployments enable us to fulfill our role as an essential operator committed to providing connectivity to as many people as possible and accelerating regional development.

  • 56,5 m fiber-ready homes in 2021
  • Nearly 99% of the population in our 8 operating countries in Europe covered by the 4G network
  • No.1 for mobile network quality in France for the 11th year running (Arcep)

Analysis

What are TowerCos?

Through TOTEM, our fully operational European TowerCo, we aim to derive higher value from our passive mobile infrastructure assets and benefit from new growth opportunities. What exactly is a “TowerCo”?

Our networks are the foundation for developing innovative and responsible digital services relating to finance, business IT support, cybersecurity, content, e-health and energy. Our multi-service strategy is paying off in Africa and the Middle East, as well as Europe.

  • €6.4 bn in revenues generated across Africa & the Middle East, up 10.6% on 2020
  • 1.7 m Orange Bank customers in Europe
  • 8.8/10 customers would recommend Orange

Growth areas: acccelerated development

Our networks are the foundation for developing innovative and responsible digital services relating to finance, business IT support, cybersecurity, content, e-health and energy. Our multi-service strategy is paying off in Africa and the Middle East, as well as Europe.

In brief
  • Key performance indicators
  • Africa and the Middle East: double-digit growth
  • Orange Bank goes from strength to strength
  • Orange Money, providing access to mobile financial services
  • Gaining a stronger foothold in Europe
  • Guiding businesses through their own digital transformation
  • Orange Cyberdefense, a leading provider of cybersecurity services in Europe

Environment:
net zero carbon target

In response to the climate challenge, Orange aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040—10 years earlier than the objectives set by the GSMA global telecoms industry body. The Group’s threefold strategy consists of reducing its carbon emissions, making greater use of renewables and boosting its circular economy.

In brief

  • Key performance indicators
  • Reducing our carbon footprint
  • Making greater use of renewable energy
  • Boosting our circular economy

In response to the climate challenge, Orange aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040—10 years earlier than the objectives set by the GSMA global telecoms industry body. The Group’s threefold strategy consists of reducing its carbon emissions, making greater use of renewables and boosting its circular economy.

  • - 12.1% reduction in scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions compared with 2015 levels
  • 117 GWh our annual renewable energy production
  • Almost €58 m saved in 2021 through the development of the circular economy for our network equipment

Analysis

What does “net zero carbon emissions” mean?

Carbon neutrality—an overall balance between the emissions produced and eliminated from the atmosphere—can only be considered on a global scale. Orange aims to achieve “net zero carbon” emissions by 2040 in line with the Paris Agreement scenario of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. What does this involve in concrete terms?

As a telecommunications operator, we have a social responsibility to our stakeholders and local communities. Orange supports the significant digital transformations shaping online and offline environments.

  • 9,200 recruitments on unlimited contracts in 2021
  • 91% of employees say they are proud to work at Orange
  • Nearly 140,000 new people benefitting from Orange Foundation’s programs

Social: a digital world that serves humanity

As a telecommunications operator, we have a social responsibility to our stakeholders and local communities. Orange supports the significant digital transformations shaping online and offline environments.

In brief

  • Key performance indicators
  • A responsible employer
  • Diversity and inclusion critical for sustainable performance
  • Supporting digital inclusion
  • Financial instruments that reflect our commitments

Analysis

What are sustainability bonds?

Orange issued a €500 million sustainability bond. How do these bonds work and how do they differ from other financial instruments?

Governance: responsibility, integrity, independence and transparency

Orange’s governance team develops and implements a long-term growth strategy combining strong operational performance, high ethical standards and optimal risk management.

In brief

  • Key performance indicators
  • A renewed governance team
  • Executive Committee
  • Compensation balanced equally between financial and non-financial performance targets
  • Risk management
  • Materiality assessment, a tool to fuel strategic thinking
  • Ensuring ethical compliance

Orange’s governance team develops and implements a long-term growth strategy combining strong operational performance, high ethical standards and optimal risk management.

The Board of Directors in 2021

  • 12 meetings
  • 45% of women
  • 63% proportion of independent directors